.
New Zealand Plans to Reopen to Vaccinated Travelers From Low-Risk Countries Starting in Early 2022, after nearly what will have been over 20 months of isolation. But unless there's a dramatic change, vaccinated U.S. travelers are unlikely to be among the first international visitors to New Zealand, as the U.S. won't be among these low risk countries.
Vaccinated visitors from low risk countries will undergo a rapid COVID-19 test at the airport, and assuming the results are. negative, these visitors will be able to avoid quarantine.
New Zealand's phased reopening will then expand to allow vaccinated travelers from medium-risk countries, who will either self-isolate or have a shorter stay at a quarantine hotel.
Ultimately New Zealand will also reopen to vaccinated travelers from high-risk countries, but they will have to spend 14 days in quarantine, which will also apply to visitors who are unvaccinated.
In preparation for reopening, New Zealand will focus on vaccinating its population. Currently New Zealand is last among OECD countries in terms of vaccinating its population, with only 23 percent of New Zealanders fully vaccinated, compared to over 50 percent of Americans fully vaccinated, and 60 percent of Canadians. Starting September 1, 2021, all eligible New Zealanders age 16 and older will be able to get their first vaccine shot, in an effort to accelerate vaccinations.
Additionally, some vaccinated New Zealanders that return to the country October-December 2021 will participate in a pilot study, where they can self-isolate at home.
Thanks to New Zealand's isolated location, the country having closed its borders in March 2020, and strict 14 day quarantine requirements in place, the country has done better than most in minimizing COVID-19 within its borders and stamping out the few community transmission cases that have occurred. To date, the country has also kept out the highly transmissible Delta variant. Prime Minister Ardern intends to continue New Zealand's COVID-19 elimination strategy, although that is likely to be difficult to maintain once borders reopen even to fully vaccinated travelers from low risk countries, given the wily nature of Delta and other variants.
Recommended Posts
Why New Zealand and Australia Won't Reopen Until 2022
Top Luxury Resorts: Best Places to Go By Month
Review: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
U.S. Will Require Foreign Visitors to Be Fully Vaccinated
If you enjoyed this, join 200,000+ readers: follow TravelSort on Twitter or like us on Facebook to be alerted to new posts.
Subscribe to TravelSort on YouTube for travel inspiration.
Become a TravelSort Client and Book 5-Star Hotels with Virtuoso or Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits