New Zealand Moves Forward Border Reopening

Australia and New Zealand kept their borders closed for nearly two years after taking the strictest approaches to managing coronaviruses.

Travelers from around the world were allowed to enter Australia recently. In February, New Zealand outlined its plans to reopen borders, but that timeline has just been moved forward significantly. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise, since the country is currently dealing with a huge coronaviruses wave.

New Zealand’s phased border reopening plan

Most foreigners will be able to enter the country once the phased approach to reopening borders is complete. The new timelines are here.

• Since February 27, 2022, fully vaccinated New Zealanders and select other eligible travelers arriving from Australia are able to arrive in New Zealand without having to go into a quarantine facility, but rather they can self-isolate
• Since March 13, 2022, fully vaccinated New Zealanders and select other eligible travelers from around the globe are able to arrive in New Zealand without having to go into a quarantine facility and without having to self-isolate
• As of April 12, 2022, fully vaccinated Australians and temporary work and student visa holders from around the world will be allowed to enter the country again, without having to go into a quarantine facility and without having to self-isolate
• As of May 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travelers from visa-waiver countries (including the United States) will be allowed to enter the country, without having to go into a quarantine facility and without having to self-isolate
• As of July 2022, fully vaccinated travelers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa categories will be allowed to enter the country, without having to go into a quarantine facility and without having to self-isolate
• As of October 2022, fully vaccinated travelers from around the globe will be allowed to enter the country, without having to go into a quarantine facility and without having to self-isolate

There are two significant changes here.

• Previously travelers from visa-waiver countries were only supposed to be allowed as of July, while now they’re allowed as of May
• Previously it wasn’t yet clarified whether visitors from visa-waiver countries would have to self-isolate or not (which would have been a deal-breaker for tourism), but now it has been made clear that there will be no self-isolation required

New Zealand has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. The country is currently facing a major outbreak, despite the fact that daily coronaviruses cases were kept in the single digits. The country saw an average of 20,000 cases per day just a couple of weeks ago. It's a lot of cases for a population of five million.

My take on New Zealand’s border reopening

New Zealand's response to the swine flu has been divisive. The country did what it could to protect its citizens from the coronaviruses. New Zealand's government needs to represent the will of the people, so our opinions don't really matter.

When we didn't have vaccines and healthcare systems around the globe were overwhelmed, I thought New Zealand did a great job.

It seems that New Zealand is following in the footsteps of other countries that initially closed their borders. When it became clear that a zero coronaviruses strategy was not possible, New Zealand decided to gradually open borders.

The system for reopening borders makes sense. New Zealand had planned to reopen borders to most vaccine visitors in July 2022, but still require self-isolation.

This plan is more logical, and I am happy to see that this beautiful country will once again be open to the rest of the world.

Bottom line

New Zealand's Prime Minister has provided an updated timetable for reopening borders. Visitors from visa-waived countries will be able to visit as of May 2022. As of October 2022, New Zealand should open borders completely. New Zealand is dealing with a huge wave of coronaviruses.

What do you think about New Zealand's border reopening plan?