New Zealand has finally announced that it will reopen its border in a series of stages, beginning at the end of February. Previous plans were derailed by the Omicron variant, and it pushed back the reopening of the long-closed country.
The country’s borders have been completely closed for nearly two years, apart from a short stint when New Zealand and Australia formed a travel bubble.
In a speech Thursday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that Omicron’s arrival meant that they needed to push back reopening the border in order to give the country enough time to get booster shots and better prepare for the extremely transmissible Omicron variant.
Ardern said that now that the Kiwi community is better protected, it is time to turn to the importance of reconnection, including the reunion of families and friends, as well as reopening business travel, and travel to make new connections.
For the past two years, Kiwis have been desperate to get back into their home country. New Zealanders stranded abroad have grown increasingly frustrated and heartbroken over the quarantine system. The quarantine isolation facilities, known as MIQ, are extremely expensive, and almost impossible to get a spot in.
The first stage will open the border to vaccinated New Zealand citizens and visa holders coming from Australia. Beginning February 27, Kiwis and eligible travelers from Australia can come into the country without staying in MIQ.
After a two-week gap, the border will open for visa holders and eligible travelers from all countries, as well as critical workers and skilled workers. The country’s working holiday scheme will also resume in this stage.
On April 12, 5,000 international students and people with eligible temporary visas will be able to enter the border.
The next stage will open the border to all Australians and other travelers who do not require a visa to travel to the country. It is anticipated this stage will begin no later than July.
By October, the border will be open to all international vaccinated visitors.
Travelers will be subjected to the same self-isolation period that is currently in place for managing close contacts of cases. As the isolation period shortens for close contacts, so too will it for those entering the country.
Travelers who enter New Zealand will have to comply with taking three rapid antigen tests, to be taken at home.
All non-vaccinated travelers and anyone else deemed to be a high-risk traveler will still have to enter MIQ.
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