New Zealand will lift almost all corona measures on Tuesday evening (local time). Visitors traveling to the Pacific country no longer need to be vaccinated against the virus. The previous rule for travelers to test for the virus immediately after arrival in the country and on the fifth day of stay only applies on a voluntary basis.
In addition, the mask obligation no longer applies everywhere except in hospitals and retirement homes. “It is time to turn the page on our Covid-19 management and live without the extraordinary measures we have taken before,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday.
Ardern spoke of a “milestone” in the country’s virus control. “Instead of feeling like Covid dictates what happens to us, our lives and our future, we are taking back control.” New Zealand, with a population of five million, had recorded more than 1.7 million infections. Nearly 2,000 people have died from the coronavirus.
The country closed its borders in March 2020 and initially followed a strict zero-covid strategy. The country only fully reopened in July.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
