Coronavirus: New Zealand reopening to international travellers sooner than planned
- Nation will now allow in international travellers from visa waiver countries, including US, from May 1, without quarantine measures
- Elsewhere, India mulls making all adults eligible for booster doses, while Samoa detects scores of infections in first community outbreak
New Zealand announced it would begin reopening to international travellers from visa waiver countries, including the United States, from May 1, without any quarantine measures.
In a prior statement, New Zealand’s government had anticipated a July reopening.
Now, every traveller must present proof of full vaccination as well as a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test to enter the country beginning May 1.
Additionally, all travellers will be given two rapid antigen tests for free upon arrival to Auckland Airport for self-administration after leaving the airport. The first test will be done upon arrival, and the second on day five or six after arrival.
Travellers who do test positive from either of these tests will be required to take a PCR test to confirm their result. If they are positive, they will be instructed to quarantine.
Quarantine entry requirements will still apply to unvaccinated New Zealand citizens and residents, who are the only unvaccinated individuals who can enter the country. The announcement did not mention the restart to cruise travel to the country, though Australia’s cruise ship ban ends April 17.
