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New Zealand decided to keep its border closed for foreigners and non-residents until it feels safe. Once the population of New Zealand gets vaccinated and feels protected, the border will be opened for foreign travelers. 

News conference on Tuesday in Wellington.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern addressed a press conference at the post-cabinet media conference at Parliament, in Wellington, New Zealand. Ardern told that the borders of New Zealand would not open again until the people of the country are “vaccinated and protected” – a process which will start in the middle of this year for the general population.

When will New Zealand open its border?

In the announcement, it was said that New Zealand will allow foreigners to enter the country based on one of the two things :

  • They need the confidence that being vaccinated means you don’t pass Covid-19 on to others.
  • They need much of their population to be vaccinated and protected that other foreigners can safely enter New Zealand.

If they feel it is safe only then international students and other people can enter New Zealand. Both possibilities will take some time.

Words of  Jacinda Ardern

“We can expect our borders to be impacted for much of this year.” Also added, “We will continue to pursue travel bubbles with Australia and the Pacific, but the rest of the world simply poses too great a risk to our health and our economy to take a risk at this stage.”

 

This means Despite the closure of borders, New Zealand will keep special "tourist bubbles" with Australia and the countries of the Pacific region

Other Exemptions from this decision

Some foreign nationals can re-enter if they have specialized skills that can’t be found locally, or are a family member or spouse of a New Zealand citizen. They can return to New Zealand on the 2 conditions that 

  • They must quarantine in a government-managed isolation facility for 2 weeks, 
  • Two corona negative tests along with a negative test were taken before departing for New Zealand.

Planning and preparations for the vaccination

The government of New Zealand plans to start a vaccination campaign on large scale against the coronavirus in the second half of 2021. It will give priority to border guards and those most exposed to the coronavirus.

  • The Prime minister said that the health authorities of New Zealand are expected to authorize the Pfizer/BioNTech candidate as the first vaccine in the national portfolio next week. They are expecting the first batches being delivered at the end of March.
  • The country also signed a few agreements with the US' Novavax pharmaceutical companies and UK's AstraZeneca to purchase 10.72 million and  7.6 million doses of their Covid-vaccines.
  • The country is also eligible for 5 million pre-ordered doses of the Covid vaccine developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica firm of Belgium.

Ardern said that New Zealand will have its house in order so they will be ready to receive. But ultimately it depends on the delivery timelines of the pharmaceutical companies. 

 

So international students who are planning to study in New Zealand this year should keep updating themselves with the news. You can expect to take admission during the September or October intake. Maybe till that time, the situation will be under control.

 

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Twinkle
About the Author:

Twinkle is an active listener and observer. She has a boundless curiosity to improvise her all-round knowledge. She is always open about her thoughts and her personality is filled with thirst for acquiring knowledge about different fields. Her favourite pastime is to pen down her thoughts and knowledge. Her strength is the simplicity of language yet being artistic.

Categories: New Zealand

Tags: Study Abroad

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