COVID-19: Border reopening plan announced

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The New Zealand government has announced a new border reopening plan.

Key Points:

• Beginning Feb. 28, fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and eligible travelers will be able to travel to and from Australia if they quarantine using a self-isolation system for 10 days and take three rapid antigen tests throughout the quarantine period.
• Beginning March 14, fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and eligible foreign nationals will be able to enter New Zealand from the rest of the world if they quarantine using a self-isolation system for 10 days and take three rapid antigen tests throughout the quarantine period.
  • Critical and skilled workers who earn at least one and a half times the median wage, as well as highly skilled workers’ family members will be allowed to enter the country.
  • The Working Holiday Scheme will also reopen.
• Beginning April 13, 5,000 students and temporary visa holders who meet the relevant visa requirements will be able to enter the country.
• Beginning no later than July, Australian foreign nationals and other visitors and business travelers who can normally enter New Zealand without a visa will be allowed to travel to New Zealand.
• Beginning in October 2022, all visa categories will re-open and normal processing will resume.

BAL Analysis: More details regarding the reopening plan are expected to be released in the weeks and months ahead. While the border reopening plan is signals that traveling to New Zealand will be easier in the coming months, entry restrictions and health protocol can change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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