New Zealand to reopen its border in stages

New Zealand is set to reopen its border to visitors in stages, after largely remaining closed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be the first time that the country will be opening after it closed in 2020 in response to COVID pandemic. As per the reports, its borders have remained closed since then.
Reports have it that fully vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia can travel home from February 27, without having to undergo quarantine in state-managed facilities, whereas New Zealanders from the rest of the world will be allowed to do so two weeks later.

Further, some skilled workers and vaccinated foreigners will be allowed to enter the country from March 13, while up to 5000 international students will be allowed to enter from April 12.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that tourists from Australia and other visa-free countries will be allowed to enter the country by July, whereas those from the rest of the world will have to wait till October. The Prime Minister also stated that all travellers would still have to self-isolate for 10 days.

She elaborated that opening borders in a phased manner would enable people to reunite and further help fill workforce shortages, while ensuring that the healthcare system is able to manage an expected increase in cases.

She also added that their strategy with Omicron is to slow the spread, and opening borders in a phased manner is a part of that plan.

The highly contagious virus variant is currently dominant across the world, and was also recently detected in New Zealand. As per the reports, the case numbers are soaring there too.