New Zealand unveils border reopening plan
International Desk
New Zealand has announced a phased reopening of its borders, as the country starts to ease some of the world's toughest Covid restrictions.
Vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia will be able to go home from 27 February, and jabbed citizens in the rest of the world can do so from 13 March, PM Jacinda Ardern says.
They will have to self-isolate for 10 days but mandatory stays at state quarantine facilities will be scrapped.
The plan includes five stages.
New Zealand's borders have largely been closed for almost two years because of the pandemic.
The key elements of the plan are as follows:
Step 1: Fully vaccinated New Zealanders from Australia can return home from 27 February
Step 2: Fully jabbed citizens from all other countries are able to arrive from 13 March. This also applies to a number of critical and skilled foreign workers
Step 3: Up to 5,000 international students are allowed into the country from 12 April
Step 4: Australians and all other visitors who can normally travel visa-free to NZ are expected to be able to travel to the country no later than July
Step 5: Begins in October and includes all other visitors and students who normally require a visa
New Zealand has recorded nearly 17,000 Covid cases and 53 deaths since the start of the outbreak.
