New Zealand will lift all restrictions and fully re-open to the world in August, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said.
It will bring an end to one of the toughest anti-Covid-19 border restrictions.
New Zealand closed their borders in the early days of the pandemic back in March 2020 in a bid to prevent the virus from entering.
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The country has boasted one of the lowest Covid-19 death rates among developed nations as a result of tight restrictions.
Despite this, some criticised the harsh system, saying it lacked flexibility and compassion and impacted the economy.
It has started opening to certain non-New Zealand citizens and residents over the past few months. Australians were first allowed to enter, followed by people from 60 visa-waiver countries.
However, from 11:59pm on July 31, tourists and visa-holders from the rest of the world will also be allowed to enter the country for the first time in over two years. All pre-departure testing will be dropped too.
The original re-opening date was set for October, but it was promised to be brought forward if it was deemed safe to do so.
Ardern, who is isolating at home because her partner tested positive for Covid, announced the news via video link and said: “This will be welcome news for families, businesses and our migrant communities.”
“It also provides certainty and good preparation time for airlines and cruise ship companies planning a return to New Zealand in the peak spring and summer seasons.”
The country saw 3.9 million international arrivals in 2019, according to RTE, which made tourism the country’s biggest pre-pandemic export earner, generating more than NZ$16 billion (€10.3bn) annually.
Major changes to immigration settings were also announced by Ardern, which came a month after warnings that New Zealand is at risk of losing high-skilled workers. 50,000 people are estimated to leave over the next year, according to The Guardian.
They are now hoping to attract workers to the likes of engineering, health and IT, which are facing staffing issues.
Those able to fill critical gaps can have their residency applications fast-tracked and processed within 30 days.
Ardern said: "By helping to relieve urgent skills shortages, opening up tourism and putting our immigration settings on a more secure footing, we are building on our proven plan to secure New Zealand's economic future.”
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