New Zealand unveils phased border reopening plan

New Zealand has announced a phased reopening of its borders, as the country starts to ease some of the world's toughest Covid restrictions, Report informs, citing the BBC.

Vaccinated citizens in Australia can go home from 27 February, while jabbed citizens elsewhere will be allowed in from 13 March, said PM Jacinda Ardern.

They will still have to self-isolate for 10 days but the mandatory state quarantine programme will be scrapped.

Up to 5,000 international students are allowed into the country from 12 April. 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. All other visitors and students who normally require a visa will be able to enter New Zealand starting from October.

The country of five million people has remained closed for visitors within almost two years. It has recorded 53 deaths and about 17,000 COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.