WELLINGTON (AP) — New Zealand will reopen all its borders to tourists from all nations by July. It will also allow cruise ships to return to New Zealand and make it easier to immigrate skilled workers, as it looks outward after the COVID-19 pandemic. The government announced Wednesday.
When COVID-19 was first discovered, New Zealand implemented some of the most stringent border controls in the world. This allowed New Zealand, a nation of 5,000,000, to eradicate several virus outbreaks and increase vaccination rates before the omicron variant hit this year.
New Zealand’s coronavirus death rate has been far lower than nearly every other developed country. New Zealand’s border controls have become less effective as other countries reopen as the pandemic drags on.
New Zealand is slowly opening up to foreign tourists, first to Australians in March and then to visitors from the U.S. and Britain earlier in the month. Wednesday’s announcement will allow tourists to visit New Zealand from China, India, and other countries starting July 31.
According to the government, it will also end the requirement for people to take the pre-departure COVID-19 test by July 31.
In a sign of the virus’s continued disruption of daily life, Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister, did not announce the news in person at the Auckland business lunch she had planned. Instead, she spoke via video link from Wellington, where she is currently isolated.
Clarke Gayford, Ardern’s fiancée, tested positive for the virus Sunday. Ardern said that she has been symptom-free and that her test results have been negative. New Zealand health regulations require that infected persons’ household contacts be isolated for seven days.
Ardern stated on the video link that “Today, I can announce New Zealand’s full reopening to the world by July 31”, completing the reconnecting work two months earlier than expected.
New immigration policies will make it easier to work in skilled occupations starting in July. A new “green” list of 56 highly sought-after jobs, including nurses, engineers, and plumbers.
Ardern stated that the package was designed to address the critical skills shortages caused by COVID while also placing our immigration settings in a better and more sustainable position.
Before the pandemic, New Zealand had more than 3,000,000 tourists each year. This accounted for 20% of New Zealand’s foreign income and more than 5% overall.
Business leaders and tourism professionals welcomed the announcement.
Debbie Summers, the New Zealand Cruise Association chairperson, stated that “after two years of hardship hundreds of Kiwi ship supply companies and tourism operators can begin rebuilding their businesses back.”
Ardern also signaled the country’s reopening with trips abroad, including recent trips to Singapore and Japan and an upcoming trip to America.
