New Zealand to reopen borders for tourists from April

The New Zealand government has announced plans of reopening borders for international tourists, starting April. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that they are all ready to welcome the world back. The country has decided to scrap all the border restrictions earlier than decided time.

Ardern said, “I'm proud that New Zealand is a country able at this moment in time to provide a safe place for our tourists to return to."
The PM further said that starting April, fully vaxxed Australians can enter the country without undergoing quarantine or self-isolation. Earlier, the country had announced the reopening of borders sometime in July.

Also, those from countries having visa-free arrangements with New Zealand, including prime Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan along with markets in the Northern Hemisphere will also be permitted to enter the nation from May 1.
Ardern said that tourism is struggling due to the pandemic and with this change, she expects to boost the country’s tourism industry. She said, "We are ready to safely move into a new chapter of our management of the pandemic, this change brings with it huge economic opportunities."

Before the world was hit by COVID-19 pandemic (in 2019), New Zealand had recorded footfalls of nearly 3.9 million international travellers. But, in March 2020, the country closed its international borders to save itself from the deadly Coronavirus.

Apparently, tourism was the country’s major export earner before the pandemic. New Zealand used to generate around NZ$16 billion ($10.9 billion) annually, with 40% of vacationers coming from Australia.