New Zealand Has Fully Opened Their Borders After Two Years Of Strict Lockdown
Time to pretend you're a Kiwi, again!
Kia ora again, New Zealand!
Calling all Malaysians who've missed taking a trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand is officially opening their borders to all Malaysians today, 1 August 2022!
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced the news this Monday during her speech at the Chinese Business Summit in Auckland, further citing that this decision of taking the final steps to reopen their borders has been an enormous moment.
"It's been a staged and cautious process on our part since February as we, alongside the rest of the world continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe."
For the first time since March 2020, the country with one of the world's strictest pandemic restrictions is allowing international travellers in once again
Known for their strict and diligent quarantine practices, the largest city in the nation, Auckland, was on lockdown for 107 days, from August to December of 2021, due to the outbreak of the delta variant.
Nonetheless, New Zealand eased restrictions earlier this year, allowing travel for Australians and citizens of 60 different countries that do not require visas to enter the country. These include the UK, the US, and Singapore, among others.
Though many rules have been relaxed since this information on New Zealand opening up travel to the rest of the world, certain requirements are still in place.
While people no longer have to do vaccination tests upon arrival at the airport, all visitors still need to test themselves at least two times
With the exception of New Zealand citizens and Australians who reside in the country, all other visitors are required to provide proof of vaccination, by way of electronic or paper vaccination certificate (either one is acceptable).
Furthermore, rapid antigen tests need to be conducted on the date of arrival to New Zealand, though doing it after landing in the airport will no longer be necessary. It can be done anywhere, as long as it is within the same day of arrival. On top of that, there are no longer any quarantine requirements.
People who are in transit in New Zealand will not be required to perform these tests, as according to the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Masks are also not required to be worn outdoors, but are required at indoor spaces which include (but are not limited to) restaurants, museums, supermarkets, and pharmacies.
Aimed at allowing the re-entry of international students, the government is also allowing cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts to dock at their ports
Speaking on the significant contribution of international students, New Zealand's economical and educational providers are hopeful that the reopening will boost the schools and universities around the country.
As for the return of cruise ships, New Zealand Tourism Minister, Stuart Nash, is also hoping to see an improvement in their local industries. "Most cruise visits are during the warmer months of October to April, and summer is our bumper tourism season overall. This means it will be full steam ahead for the industry," said Nash.
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, and Minister of Tourism, Stuart Nash.
Image via Wikipedia/NZ Herald
Are you excited to finally be able to visit New Zealand?
It's time to pack your bags and book the next flight ticket out of here!
Click here and discover all the best activities to do once you visit New Zealand
Japan recently opened their borders to international travellers too! Find out all the necessary details before make a trip:
Here are a plethora of other countries that've also opened up their borders:
If you're not ready to travel abroad just yet, check out these stellar places in Malaysia to visit first:
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