Covid travel news for New Zealand

Which countries are opening their borders and which are still closed? With travel being affected so much due to COVID-19 always check if there are any restrictions before you book an accommodation. Keep an eye on this page and find out where in the world you can still travel to...

Updates for New Zealand

New Zealand Prime Minister: borders will remain closed for a long time

Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the borders will remain closed for most of 2021. Until then, foreign travellers are not allowed to enter the country. "Due to the risks around us and the uncertainty about the global deployment of a vaccine, we expect our borders to be closed for most of this year," Adern said.

According to Ardern, in order to allow foreign tourists back, it must be certain that vaccinated persons cannot infect others or that the vast majority of New Zealanders have been vaccinated. According to the Prime Minister, both take time.

Updated on January 26, 2021.

Disclaimer the information is correct to the best of Weather & Climate's knowledge at the time of publication. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the international response to the COVID-19 outbreak Weather and Climate cannot guarantee its accuracy and can accept no liability for any errors or omissions

Travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia suspended

Since today, the travel bubble between the two countries has been temporarily suspended, causing a dent in the belief of travel bubbles being a safe way to travel during the pandemic. Here’s more information about what the bubble was, why it has been suspended and whether or not travelers can still make the trip to New Zealand or Australia.

Updated on January 25, 2021.

New Zealand asks international travellers for negative test

If international travellers want to enter New Zealand, they will have to show a negative corona test before boarding the plane. Local authorities announced that on Tuesday. Travellers will still need to be tested on arrival and will have to be quarantined for 14 days.

As a reason, the authorities cite the high number of infections in other countries and the new, more contagious, mutations that have emerged. Australia, Antarctica and a number of Pacific states are excluded from the measure.

We recommend to always check if there are any latest travel restrictions before you book an accommodation. Travel may only be permitted for certain purposes and recreational travel may not be specifically permitted. Government measures are constantly changing, so we recommend that you regularly check for updates. Click here for travel restrictions and guidelines for New Zealand.

Updated on January 12, 2021.

New Zealand and Australia plan to open travel bubble in early 2021

New Zealand and Australia want to open a travel bubble together in the first quarter of 2021. That is what Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, said at a press conference on Monday. Travelers between these countries will no longer have to be quarantined after arrival. The countries want to make travel easier among themselves, while travelers from other countries continue to have stricter rules to prevent the spread of virus.

Updated on December 14, 2020.

New Zealand and Australia probably open travel bubble in early 2021

Updated on December 14, 2020.

Lockdown in Auckland extended

In the New Zealand city Auckland, the lockdown measures have been extended until next weekend. Prime Minister Ardern says this is necessary to better control the outbreak in the country's largest city. "We want to give everyone both confidence and security," she said.

Severe restrictions have been in place in the city for more than a week and a half because of a cluster of about 150 infections. Schools and businesses are closed. The outbreak began with four infections within a family. Until then, New Zealand was virus-free for 102 days.

Ardern also announced that throughout New Zealand, masks will be mandatory in public transport.

Updated on August 25, 2020.

New Zealand - Australia Border may reopen by September

Australia and New Zealand may reopen their borders to travel from the two countries as soon as September, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper cited Simon Birmingham, Australia’s tourism and trade minister, as saying.

The minister said in the July 3 interview the time frame was realistic, though would require the agreement of New Zealand’s government and is subject to uncertainties such as renewed outbreaks.