New Zealand celebrates as all borders reopen since start of Covid

Robert Besser
04 Aug 2022, 15:34 GMT+10

After being shut since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, New Zealand's borders fully re-opened to foreign visitors this week
However, most visitors will still need to be vaccinated against COVID and must take two COVID tests after arriving
The process of reopening the borders ended this week as visitors who need visas and those on student visas are now allowed to return to New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: After being shut since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, New Zealand's borders fully re-opened to foreign visitors this week.

However, most visitors will still need to be vaccinated against COVID and must take two COVID tests after arriving. Also, there are no longer quarantine requirements.

The process of reopening the borders ended this week as visitors who need visas and those on student visas are now allowed to return to New Zealand. New Zealand is also allowing cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts to again dock at its ports.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this week, during a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland, that the final staged opening of the borders had been a much anticipated moment.

"It's been a staged and cautious process on our part since February as we, alongside the rest of the world, continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe."

Also, New Zealand Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said the return of cruise ships will be a boost for local industries.

"Most cruise visits are during the warmer months of October to April, and summer is our bumper tourism season, overall. This means it will be full steam ahead for the industry," said Nash.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Africa Leader.

More Information

12 ℃

Mostly Cloudy in Cape Town

International

Section

Bachelet asks Bangladesh to probe enforced disappearance allegations

DHAKA, Bangladesh - Michelle Bachelet has urged the Bangladesh government to establish an independent investigation into allegations of enforced disappearances. ...

UK moves forward in sending illegal migrants to Rwanda

LONDON, England: Despite a legal challenge in London's High Court in early September, the UK government is continuing to pursue ...

PM Modi says India working to become developed country in 25 years

NEW DELHI, India: During his national day address this week, Prime Minister NarendraModi said India will seek to become a ...

Heathrow Airport to extend limit on passengers till October

LONDON, England: The cap on flight departures from London's Heathrow Airport will beextended until October 29, airport officials announced.Heathrow capped ...

German fighter jets to take part in joint exercises in Australia

BERLIN, Germany: Highlighting Berlin's increasing focus on assisting in the Indo-Pacific region amidst rising tensions with China over Taiwan, Germany ...

France declares wildfire out, firefighters came from all of Europe

PARIS, France: French firefighters have stopped the spread of a "monster" wildfire in the country's southwest, allowing the reopening of ...

Business

Section