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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Photo: MARTY MELVILLE / AFP
New Zealand was considered one of the countries with the strictest corona rules during the pandemic.
The island state had sealed itself off from the outside world for a long time and imposed strict protective measures on its citizens.
More than two and a half years after the outbreak of the global corona pandemic, New Zealand is now lifting almost all corona measures.
Visitors traveling to the Pacific country no longer need to be vaccinated against the virus.
The previous rule for travelers to test themselves for the virus immediately after arrival and on the fifth day of their stay only applies on a voluntary basis.
In addition, the mask requirement is no longer applicable everywhere except in hospitals and retirement homes.
The rules come into effect on Tuesday night.
»Take control again«
"It's time to turn the page on our Covid-19 management and live without the extraordinary measures we took previously," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
The country had closed its borders in March 2020 and initially followed a strict zero-Covid strategy.
The country only fully opened up again this July.
Ardern spoke of a "milestone" in the country's virus management.
"Instead of feeling like Covid is dictating what's happening to us, our lives and our future, we're taking control again."
The tourism industry in the country in particular should now breathe a sigh of relief.
New Zealand is a popular travel destination for Europeans over the winter months.
Cruise ships have been allowed to call at the country from Sunday again since July.
New Zealand, with a population of five million, has recorded more than 1.7 million infections over the course of the pandemic.
In total, almost 2,000 people have died from the corona virus in the country since the beginning of 2020.
mrc/dpa
