In a significant announcement on 28 February, New Zealand removed the self-isolation requirements for vaccinated travellers to NZ, paving the way for Kiwis and tourists from Australia coming into the country to immediately connect with family and friends or go out and enjoy the best of Aotearoa.

Before boarding, travellers will be required to have a negative test and take two rapid antigen tests on arrival and at day 5/6. If any of these returns a positive result, it will need to be reported, and they will have to isolate for the same period as a community case.

Covid-19 Minister Christ Hipkins also confirmed that Step 2 would be brought forward to Friday 4 March, so vaccinated Kiwis from anywhere in the world can return to NZ.

Chris said, “As we progressively open, all vaccinated travellers who test negative for Covid-19 will be able to immediately enjoy New Zealand and all it has to offer. This will be a shot in the arm for our tourism sector, our regional economies and our overall economic recovery from Covid-19.”

Expectedly, NZ’s hospitality and tourism industry have welcomed the news. Hospitality NZ said the hospitality sector and the economy as a whole will benefit from the removal of self-isolation for vaccinated returning Kiwis from overseas. “There is now a glimmer of hope we can begin some sort of recovery before we get too much closer to winter.”

There have also been cautiously positive responses from other industry associations.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa says it is a big step forward on the road to recovery for the sector.

TIA Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johnson said businesses still want more certainty when international visitors can come into NZ.

Ann-Marie said, “We are excited to welcome back vaccinated whanau from Australia, as well as Kiwis from the rest of the world later this week, with no requirements for self-isolation if they have a negative test. We hope these returning Kiwis will take the opportunity to enjoy a NZ holiday and reacquaint themselves with Aotearoa.

“However, the tourism industry’s priority is the reopening of our borders to vaccinated international leisure and business travellers. We are reassured by today’s decision that self-isolation is being removed for all fully vaccinated arrivals but look forward to Cabinet’s review of the dates when our borders will reopen to international manuhiri.”

Ann-Marie also cautioned that the industry’s recovery will not begin until high-value holidaymakers can enter NZ.

Ben McFadgen, Chief Executive Officer of the Bus and Coach Association (BCA) and Rental Vehicle Association (RVA) said, “Like the rest of the tourism sector we hope the government will base its future decisions on enabling NZ’s international tourism recovery, not constraining it. Demand is still high. People still want to come here. We need to make it work. We need to reconnect NZ to the world.”

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins, “This is a great start in reconnecting NZ with the world. We are encouraged by the Prime Minister saying a decision could be made by mid-March on opening up to all travellers.”