New Zealand fully reopens its borders on August 1 | World | D.W.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Artern on Wednesday (05.11.2022) confirmed that New Zealand will fully open its borders to the world on August 1, thus ending one of the toughest border restrictions imposed within the framework of corona virus infections. The authority announced that all border security would be removed on that day.

Passengers from any country can enter the New Zealand border from 23:59 local time on July 31, although authorities still insist on the need for a vaccination certificate or an approved exemption to enter. According to a Wellington executive statement, the move will give the green light to cruise ships entering the country from that date and resume all teaching activities for international students.

“New Zealand is now fully open for trade,” the prime minister said, adding that the government had planned to reopen the border in two months’ time. The decision seeks to boost tourism, which is vital to the island’s economy. New Zealand at the time was praised for its epidemic control policy, but was later criticized for its lack of flexibility.

Labor shortage

“This is good news for families, businesses and our diaspora communities. He also stressed that there would be incentives to attract qualified workers to alleviate the shortfall the country is experiencing in various sectors such as health and engineering.

In early February, authorities announced a five-phase reopening plan, beginning on February 28 and ending in October, raising the daily limit for New Zealanders to return. New Zealand has the lowest COVID-19 mortality rate among industrialized nations. To date, it adds more than a million cases, with 855 deaths from the corona virus since the outbreak.

DZC (EFE, AFP)