New Zealand will reopen its borders from February 2022

New Zealand announced on Wednesday, November 24, that it will be reopening its borders to fully vaccinated people in phases starting next year.

In a statement, the country’s COVID-19 pandemic response minister, Chris Hipkins, said that in the first phase, fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and residence visa holders will be able to travel from Australia to Australia without quarantine on January 16.

Fully vaccinated New Zealand residents and residence permit holders can enter the country from February 13, the statement said.

According to this statement, the country will open its border to all international travelers from April 30. However, passengers must show a negative COVID-19 test and proof of vaccination.

“Closing our border was one of the first steps we took to keep our country safe from COVID-19 and it will be the last thing we open,” Hipkins said.

“We have a clear, simple and safe plan, which includes mandatory periods of self-isolation. The border will be opened in three phases,” the minister said.

New Zealand removed Fiji, India, Pakistan and Brazil from its ranking of very high-risk countries, noting that travelers from these countries will be able to enter from next year.

However, Papua New Guinea will remain on the list of high-risk countries.

New Zealand has reported 10,609 cases and 40 deaths since the start of the pandemic last year.

According to the Ministry of Health, 92% of the population has received the first dose of the vaccine for COVID-19, while 84% have been fully vaccinated.

*Camilo Hernandez contributed writing to this note.
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