Our Thoughts
Once borders reopen in May, a big ticket trip to New Zealand should be a top priority for anyone hoping to shake off the spectre of lockdown.
New Zealand will soon reopen its borders to tourists as it relaxes its COVID-19 restrictions, allowing international travellers in after more than two years of border closures and strict restrictions.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that beginning April 13, fully vaccinated travellers from Australia will be allowed to enter the country without needing to quarantine. New Zealand has moved forward its easing of restrictions, as it previously targeted July to begin allowing Australians to enter without needing to quarantine.
Beginning May 2, fully fully vaccinated travellers from approximately 60 visa-waiver countries, including the UK, US, Germany, Canada, Japan and Singapore, will also be permitted entry.
All arrivals will need to present a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of boarding the flight to New Zealand, or a supervised rapid antigen test/LAMP test taken within 24 hours of departure.
Most international travelers have been banned from New Zealand since March 2020. Border closures and strict lockdowns were at the heart of a COVID elimination strategy that has been quite successful. New Zealand has recorded only about 115 deaths during the pandemic, and has a 95% vaccination rate in the eligible population
Despite some easing of isolation requirements for COVID patients, the country has maintained some restrictions, including limits on gatherings and mask mandates in many settings.
Andrew Taylor
For Andrew, travel is so much more than just learning history or taking photos. Rather, the value of travel is witnessing a lifestyle, bonding with locals, and gaining rich cultural experiences. That’s why he founded the Luxury Wanderer; a place to share itineraries, offer advice, swap stories, and foster a like-minded community of curious travellers.
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