(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –New Zealand is to open its doors to vaccinated Australians from 11.59pm April 12, and from late May 1 for those from visa waiver countries and people with valid visitor visas.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement on Wednesday.
“Our border has already opened to New Zealanders around the world and on Monday critical and skilled workers also became eligible to enter without isolation.
“We have now received guidance it is now safe to significantly bring forward the next stage of border reopening work – to bring back our tourists,” she said.
“We are ready to welcome the world back.”
Arden said bringing Australians in from April 13 would be in line with their school holidays and be in time for the New Zealand ski season.
“Closing our border was one of the first actions we took to stop Covid-19 two years ago,” Ardern said. “It did the job we needed. But now that we’re highly vaccinated and predicted to be off our Omicron peak, it’s now safe to open up.”
