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New Zealand Will Reopen to Travelers April 30, 2022, after over two years of being closed to most foreigners. After over a year of zero to a handful of new cases per day, COVID-19 cases increased starting in mid-August 2021, and recently averaged over 200 new cases per day, driven by the more transmissible Delta variant, with most of the cases in the Auckland area. To date, New Zealand has fully vaccinated 84 percent of its eligible population (age 12 and older).
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7 Day Self Isolation Required
Note that unlike the U.S. and most European countries, New Zealand plans to require even fully vaccinated travelers to self isolate for 7 days. That requirement is likely to be a deal breaker for most travelers, many of whom have limited vacation time.
Arriving travelers will, however, not be required to stay in state quarantine facilities for the mandated 7 day isolation. It hasn't been announced which hotels and facilities will be permitted for the week long self-isolation. In addition to full vaccination and self-isolation after arrival, travelers will need a negative pre-departure test and a COVID-19 test on arrival.
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Where to Stay in New Zealand
New Zealand's best luxury options tend to be small luxury lodges, which include breakfast and gourmet multi-course dinners as part of the rate. Our top recommendations are The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay, Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, Otahuna in the Christchurch area, and Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands.
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