New Zealand will remain closed to foreigners until the end of April

New Zealand announced on Wednesday, November 24 that its borders will remain closed to foreign travelers until the end of April. archipelago It closed its borders in March 2020. The minister responsible for combating Covid-19, Chris Hepkins, has indicated that New Zealanders stranded in Australia can return from mid-January, while the rest of the world will have to wait until February. For their part, foreigners will be able to travel to the archipelago from the end of April, according to the gradual reopening plan unveiled on Wednesday.

“We are aware that the situation has been difficult, but the end of the travel restrictions is now imminent,” announce Chris Hepkins Press. The announcement comes amid growing pressure from New Zealanders stranded abroad and frustration at not being able to book rooms in quarantine hotels, which are in short supply.

New Zealand earlier this week announced a change in its strategy to fight Covid-19, deciding to contain the delta variant rather than eliminate it. The disease claimed only 40 lives out of five million people, but the authorities admitted that the delta variant was a game-changer and they had to abandon their goal of zero Covid.