Feb 27, 2022
New Zealand Government Comes to Its Senses For First Time in Years
The world had almost forgotten that New Zealand ever existed.
Australia announced it was reopening weeks ago.
There are massive anti-mandate protests in Wellington which are frantically tisk-tisked by the Government... but can't be ignored.
And while certainly none of these will be cited as having anything to do with PM Ardern finally coming to her senses... the fact is there is now light at the end of the tunnel regarding New Zealand's borders!
New Zealand announced it is removing the need for self-Isolation for vaccinated (Aussie and Kiwi) travellers from March 2nd!
“Following advice from the Strategic COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group and the Director General of Health is that it is now appropriate to drop the requirement for self-isolation for fully vaccinated travellers after they arrive in New Zealand”
“Cabinet has agreed to lift all self-isolation requirements for vaccinated travellers entering New Zealand from 11:59pm, Wednesday 2 March. That means that all Kiwis coming home and tourists entering the country will be able to step off the plane and immediately connect with family and friends and enjoy all New Zealand has to offer,” - Chris Hipkins
We couldn't be happier! And in conversations with dozens throughout the country there is finally hope after three years of mandates that everyone remain blissfully "safe" in the Shire.
So what's next for you? The short answer is an optimistic waiting period until July and the hope that Ardern et al don't pull the rug from under our feet again.
Actually, New Zealand has not provided an update for the staged reopening of the borders for Steps 4 and 5 (those which apply to Americans and Canadians)
- By July 2022 – Australian citizens and Permanent Residents, other foreign Nationals travelling from Australia and visitors from any Visa Waiver Country visitors. (See https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/general-information/visa-waiver-countries for a list of Visa waiver countries). An ETA Visa is still required.
- From October 2022 - All other visitors
An update on these steps 4 and 5 is not expected for at least another 4 to 6 weeks, as the Omicron Surge lingers heaviliy....
“Travellers will still be required to have a negative pre-departure test, and undertake two rapid antigen tests on arrival and at day 5/6. If anyone returns a positive result they will be required to report it and isolate for the same period as a community case.
“Returnees are also asked to follow up their positive rapid antigen test with a PCR test, so that we can run whole genome sequencing and determine the variant. This will ensure that we can still keep tabs on any emerging variants and isolate cases as needed.
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