New Zealand To Reopen Border From February 27th

After years of closed borders, failed travel bubbles and plenty of MIQ for the lucky ones, New Zealand is finally reopening its borders… albeit in stages that will start at the end of February and go all the way through to October 2022 when international tourists will be welcomed back in (well at least that’s the plan for now…).

Here’s what we know and the key dates

• MIQ removed for most travellers in phased reconnection, replaced by self-isolation and tests on-arrival.
• MIQ to remain for the unvaccinated.
• 3 Rapid antigen tests to be given out on arrival for self-testing at home. One for use on day 1, one for day 5 and one for day 6.
• The New Zealand border will reopen to vaccinated New Zealanders from Australia at 11.59 pm on February 27th 2022. — 10 days of self-isolation
• New Zealand will reopen to New Zealanders in the rest of the world on March 13th 2022. — 7 days of self-isolation
• Working Holiday Visa holders will be welcome back on March 13th as well as skilled workers if they have a salary offer of at least 1.5 times the median wage, in which case they won’t need to prove they are filling a shortage position.
• From July (no date set just yet), Australians will be welcomed back into New Zealand, presumably the isolation rule will remain.
• From October 2022 (no date set), all border restrictions will come down, and New Zealand will welcome back all visitors and visa categories — it’s unsure if isolation rules will remain.

Before You Travel:

• A negative PCR or RT-PCR test within 48 hours of the scheduled departure of their first international flight.
• Fully vaccinated (2 doses) or medical exemption

Summing Up

While this is excellent news, I’m sure many Kiwi’s (my wife included) will be put off by the self-isolation requirements in place. For most people, it’s simply not practical to go over to see family and spend the first 10 days locked up in your room. It’s also unclear how self-isolation will be managed — are people allowed to be in the same house as family; do those family members then need to isolate, etc. While there was talk about $4,000-$12,000 fines for breaching self-isolation rules, I couldn’t find any clear guidance on the practicalities.

Having been to Europe, I know for a fact 99% of travellers ignored the isolation rules.

Air New Zealand To Increase Flights

Air New Zealand said it expects to have more than 300 flights available between New Zealand and Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast in March. Sorry, Perth…