Get ready to say Kia Ora to New Zealand again as the country is reopening its borders to the world much sooner than expected.
After two years closed off to the rest of the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Jacinda Ardern decided enough was enough. “We’re ready to welcome the world back,” she declared. “New Zealand will be ready with open arms.”
The new reopening dates are mere weeks away now. From April 13th, vaccinated tourists from Australia will be allowed to enter the country without having to isolate. Then from May 2nd, vaccinated tourists from other visa-waiver countries – the U.K., U.S., Germany, Canada, Japan etc – will be allowed entry.
As for those from countries without visa waiver agreements such as China and India, they’ll have to wait a little longer to gain entry into New Zealand – at the time of writing, it won’t be until October until people from those countries are allowed entry, although Ardern said those dates might also be updated.
Watch PM Jacinda Ardern’s full press conference:
The reason for the earlier reopening is the success of New Zealand’s vaccine rollout: 95% of those aged 12 and over are now double-jabbed, while 72% have received a booster jab.
Love Travel?
Get the latest Travel news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
“We are ready to roll out the green and gold carpet to our Australian neighbours, and in time for the school holidays,” tourism minister Stuart Nash said. “We have missed you.”
The news is a much-needed boost for New Zealand’s tourism and hospitality industries, which have seriously suffered in the last two years. “This brings with it huge economic opportunities for us – we will be a sought-after market,” Ardern added. “We’re now known globally as not just being clean and green, but also being safe, so we know that we’ll be in high demand.”
For more on this topic, follow the Travel Observer.
Check out this travel guide to New Zealand:
