New Zealand sets border reopening date
New Zealand’s international borders are fully reopening from 1 May to vaccinated travellers from visa waiver countries.
Fully vaccinated travellers from these countries can travel to New Zealand without needing to isolate on arrival as long as they present a negative pre-departure test.
Negative Rapid Antigen Tests [RAT] will be required on arrival and again on day 5/6.
Visa waiver countries include the UK, as well as the US, Japan, Germany, Korea and Singapore.
It brought forward the planned date for opening the border to tourists primarily in time for the Australian school holidays, aimed at accelerating the economic recovery.
Firstly, on 12 April, Australians will be able to travel to New Zealand isolation-free, and then two and a half weeks later, vaccinated travellers from visa-waiver countries will be admitted.
“Reopening in time for the upcoming Australian school holidays will help spur our economic recovery in the short term, ”said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“Trans-Tasman travellers have historically made up 40% of our international arrivals, with around 1.5 million Australians visiting each year.”
“The announcement will be a welcome boost for our tourism operators.”
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