From next year, New Zealand will allow fully vaccinated international travelers into the country, gradually lifting the country’s tight border restrictions, which have been in place for more than 18 months to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Changes to New Zealand’s international border regulations will make it easier for students to return. The country’s strong immunization rates allow for more flexibility at the border, although caution is still advised.
Key Takeaways:
- New Zealand has stated that in the first months of 2022, it will reopen its borders to vaccinated travelers.
- New Zealand will follow a phased approach to reconnect with the rest of the world in the safest way possible.
During a news conference on Nov. 24, COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins explained that fully vaccinated people, residents, and tourists will be allowed to enter the country in three phases.
On Jan. 16, 2022, the border will be accessible to New Zealand citizens and residents traveling from neighboring Australia, before opening to the rest of the world on Feb. 13.
From April 30, fully vaccinated travelers from all other nations, with the exception of those designated “high risk,” are welcome to visit the Pacific Island nation.
New Zealand takes a phased approach to reconnect with the rest of the world in the safest way possible to minimize risk. It lessens the likelihood of negative consequences for disadvantaged communities and the New Zealand health system.
With this, travelers will still be required to self-isolate for a week at home, but they will no longer be required to use the country’s expensive and space-constrained managed isolation facilities.
Hipkins stated that managed isolation would continue for the foreseeable future, noting that the country is not yet at a stage where individuals will be able to move much more freely over the border, eliminating the need for such times of self-isolation.
It can be recalled that New Zealand was one of the first countries in the world to close its borders early in the pandemic, as part of a widely praised firm stance against COVID-19 that resulted in few deaths.
MSM Unify is your one-stop source platform that connects students, higher education institutions, and agents in New Zealand and worldwide. Sign up now to get the latest updates and information on international education.
Google