New Zealand Reopens Borders For Tourists First Time Post Covid Pandemic

by Sushmita Mahanta
New Zealand Reopens Borders For Tourists First Time Post Covid Pandemic

New Zealand is ready to welcome back international visitors from all over the world by finally reopening its borders for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. This makes it the final Western country to do so. The reopening is also great news for the tourism industry and the economy of the country. The reopening went into effect at midnight local time Sunday, allowing tourists from all over the world and international students to enter the country. However, most visitors still need to provide proof of vaccination before being allowed to enter the country but there are no quarantine requirements.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Calls The Reopening An Enormous Moment

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, during a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland Monday, called the reopening an “enormous moment.” She also added that the reopening has been “a staged and cautious process.”
“We, alongside the rest of the world, continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe,” revealed Ardern. Even though the borders are open, New Zealand will let in international tourists into the Country only with proper vaccination details!

How The Country Celebrated The Reopening?

New Zealand officials including Tourism Minister Stuart Nash ​​and Immigration Minister Michael Wood were elated by the news and celebrated the reopening.
“Prior to the pandemic, the international education sector was worth several billion dollars to our country and education providers. While we’ve continued to support the sector with border exceptions through the pandemic, the full resumption of visa processing is great news for our universities, polytechnics and wānanga, and schools, English language schools, and private training establishments,” said Wood.
Today’s change in border settings marks the final milestone for our reconnecting strategy,” added Nash.

Who Can Enter The Country Without Vaccination Proof And Who Can’t?

Cruise ships and foreign yachts will be able to dock at ports and people traveling by sea must test upon disembarking. Air passengers are required to complete two rapid negative tests before arriving.
Those who don’t need to show proof of vaccination include New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. Apart from that, Australian citizens living in New Zealand also don’t require proof of vaccination. The rule is the same for children aged 16 and under, refugees, and also people arriving from Antarctica. Evacuated Citizens of Afghanistan and those who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons can also enter the same way.

Also read: New Zealand Bans Cigarettes For Everyone Born After 2009