New Zealand will be closed to visitors until April 2022 Coronavirus pandemic News

New Zealanders and residents of most countries will accept entry without quarantine from 13 February.

New Zealand will keep the borders closed for most international travelers for another five months, the government said on Wednesday, noting that the border restrictions that have been in place since COVID-19 struck in March 2020 have been prudently eased.

Along with its geographical isolation, the South Pacific country imposed some of the most severe pandemic reductions among OECD nations, limiting the spread of COVID-19 and helping its economy bounce back faster than many of its members.

But the emergence of a highly contagious Delta variant earlier this year has forced a change in strategy, as the main city of Auckland is gradually opening up as vaccine rates rise.

As of April 30, 2022, fully embedded international travelers will be allowed to enter the country, reopening over time, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said at a news conference.

New Zealand vaccinators and those with a subsequent Australian residence visa will be able to travel to New Zealand from 16 January, and vaccinated New Zealanders and residents of most other countries will be able to enter from 13 February.

‘Phase approach’

“A step-by-step approach to reconnecting with the world is the safest approach to ensuring that risk is carefully managed,” Hipkins said.

“This reduces the potential impact on vulnerable communities and the New Zealand health system.”

Passengers will no longer have to be in the state’s forty facilities, he said, but other measures will be put in place, including a negative pre-departure test, proof of being fully embedded and a COVID-19 test on arrival.