International students who have completed their immunization process against the virus will be permitted to enter New Zealand without being obliged to follow entry rules such as testing or quarantine, starting from April 12.
In addition, starting from May 2, vaccinated travelers from visa-waiver countries, including those from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, will also be allowed to enter New Zealand, VisaGuide.World reports.
Such a decision has been confirmed by the country’s government, while the same announced that New Zealand would reopen its doors to internationals earlier than initially planned.
Authorities in this country have also announced that starting from July, persons reaching the country on Accredited Employer Work Visa may then be allowed to enter New Zealand without being required to follow mandatory self-isolation requirements.
“Currently, entry is restricted to vaccinated nationals, permanent residents, skilled workers, and travelers on a working holiday scheme,” the statement reads.The same source clarified that the country plans to lift all the entry rules for internationals who have been vaccinated against the virus in October 2022. In this regard, the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has stressed that the country is ready to “welcome the world back,” adding that the country will be ready with open arms. Due to the travel restrictions imposed in a bid to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, the travel, and tourism sector, among others, has also been highly affected, suffering significant financial losses. However, at present many countries have started to facilitate their entry rules and consider the virus more like an endemic disease. Authorities in New Zealand have also announced that they are attempting to help the tourism industry recover from the damages caused by the virus.
“We are ready to roll out the green and gold carpet to our Australian neighbors, and in time for the school holidays. We have missed you,” Tourism Minister Stuart Nash pointed out.According to the figures published by the World Health Organization (WHO), authorities in New Zealand have registered a total of 417,825 cases of COVID-19 infection and 141 deaths. In addition, the figures provided by WHO have also revealed that in the last seven days, a total of 131,936 people have tested positive for the virus, while 76 people have died during the same period. Last month, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced that the country would ease its restrictions imposed due to the virus after keeping its borders closed for nearly two years.