New Zealand Plans To Relax Auckland Domestic Border Restrictions Starting Next Month

Illustration of a COVID-19 vaccination center in New Zealand. (Wikimedia Commons/Catsandthings)

JAKARTA - Domestic borders around New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, will reopen from December 15 to people who are fully vaccinated and those who test negative for COVID-19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Wednesday.

Auckland is the epicenter of the outbreak of the infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 in New Zealand, having been in lockdown from other countries for more than 90 days.

But, with more than 80 percent of Auckland's residents and the entire country having received the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, it's time to unlock the ability to travel again, Ardern said at a news conference.

"Auckland residents can now book summer travel and accommodation with confidence and businesses within Auckland and across the country can plan for summer travelers", PM Ardern said, citing Reuters November 17.

As a condition, tourists must be fully vaccinated or show a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure. People who violate the rules will be subject to an infringement fine of 1,000 New Zealand dollars or around Rp. 9,989,268.

Details on easing international border restrictions will be released before the end of the year, Ardern said.

New Zealand only allows its citizens or permanent residents to enter the country, but the number of people returning is controlled by limiting the space available in the country's quarantine facilities each week, making it difficult for many to travel home.

To note, New Zealand has been largely successful in pursuing its Delta variant outbreak elimination strategy, prompting PM Ardern to shift to a focus on coexistence with the virus with higher vaccinations.

He said the cabinet would confirm on November 29 its decision to move Auckland and the rest of the country into a new traffic light system (red, yellow, green zones) that would end the lockdown, use social distancing and other measures to limit the spread of the virus.