New Zealand is planning to allow entry to vaccinated travelers from low-risk countries without quarantine restrictions from early 2022, after approximately 18 months of closing its borders to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

This news comes amid rising pressure to reopen borders from private businesses and the public sector due to a shortage of workers and decreased incomes.

It is worth noting here that while the country’s geographic location and tight border controls had enabled it to combat the virus efficiently and more quickly, the move also completely isolated the island from the rest of the world.

In this context, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was quoted saying that the country is still not ready to open borders completely. She further added that the process of reopening New Zealand’s borders will be done in phases starting early next year.

Travelers from medium-risk countries will be required to self-isolate at a quarantined hotel for a short time. Meanwhile, unvaccinated travelers or citizens of high-risk nations will still have to quarantine themselves for 14 days, cited sources with relevant information.

Some vaccinated travelers will be able to participate in a pilot program which is likely to be held during the fourth quarter of 2021 but will be required to self-isolate at home.

New Zealand was among the first few countries to become virus-free. The country has recorded just 2500 cases and 26 deaths since the onset of the pandemic. As a result, while New Zealand’s government is planning to reopen in phases, the country still intends to maintain its elimination strategy.

New Zealand also intends to speed up its vaccine rollout by enabling people of all eligible ages to book their vaccine by September 1 and doubling the gap between doses to six weeks.

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https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/fortress-new-zealand-eyes-opening-to-vaccinated-travellers-early-2022-7320371.html