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New Zealand fully opens borders for first time since March 2020

In a process that began in February, Wellington has announced that it is open to all visitors, including those on private yachts and cruise ships.

August 1, 2022
1 August 2022

New Zealand’s borders fully re-opened to visitors from around the world on Monday, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic closed them in March 2020.

The reopening began in February first for New Zealanders and restrictions have progressively eased.

The process ended last night with visitors who need visas and those on student visas now also allowed to return to New Zealand. The country is now also letting cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts docks at its ports.

International students were a significant contributor to New Zealand’s economy and educational providers are hoping the reopening of the borders will again provide a boost to schools and universities around the country.

Virus Outbreak-Tourism While cargo revenues remain strong, Air NZ's passenger service has been severed by COVID-19.
The reopening is good news for Air New Zealand, which has been hit hard by Covid-19.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday during a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland that the final staged opening of the borders had 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.”

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