Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Aug 1: For the first time since they were shut down due to the coronavirus epidemic in March 2020, New Zealand’s borders were fully opened on Monday. The maritime border and all foreign visitors were now eligible to apply for visas as part of the final phase of its frontiers’ reopening, which started at midnight local time (1300 GMT) on Sunday. In February, the nation began to reopen, starting with its own residents.
The previous evening, the borders were reopened to individuals who require visas, and those with student visas are now also permitted to return to New Zealand. Additionally, cruise ships and international pleasure boats will be permitted to dock at their ports.
“It’s been a staged and cautious process on our part since February as we, alongside the rest of the world continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland on Monday.
Most guests are still required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and undergo two tests upon arrival.
The Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia in the Pacific also declared they will open their borders starting on Monday.
