New Zealand to open borders from next year

New Zealand on Wednesday announced it will open borders in phases for fully vaccinated people from next year.

In a statement, Chris Hipkins, the country's COVID-19 response minister, said in the first phase fully vaccinated citizens of New Zealand and residence-class visa holders will be able to travel without quarantine from Australia from Jan. 16.

Fully vaccinated New Zealanders and residence-class visa holders can enter the country from Feb. 13, he added.

According to his statement, the country will open its border for all international travelers from April 30. However, the travelers will need to show their pre-departure negative COVID-19 test, including proof of vaccination.

“Closing our border was one of the first steps we took to keep our country safe from COVID-19 and it’ll be the last thing we open up, following our transition into the traffic light protection framework system and lifting of the Auckland boundary,” Hipkins said.

“We have a clear, simple and safe plan, including a mandatory period of self-isolation. The border will open in three steps," he added.

New Zealand also removed Fiji, India, Pakistan and Brazil from its very high-risk classification and said travelers from these countries will be allowed to enter from next year.

However, Papua New Guinea will still remain on the very-high-risk countries' list.

New Zealand has reported 10,609 cases and 40 deaths since the start of the pandemic last year.

According to the Health Ministry, 92% of the population has gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 84% are fully vaccinated.