New Zealand is fully open to tourists

New Zealand had imposed strict entry regulations because of the corona pandemic – now the country is fully opening its borders to tourists again. Japan is considering a gradual opening up after two years of lockdown.

New Zealand will reopen its borders fully to tourists at the end of July. The government announced that cruise ships would also be allowed to dock again and that it would be easier for professionals to enter the country. The country had issued strict entry regulations at the beginning of the corona pandemic, which were relaxed at the beginning of May.

“Today I can announce that New Zealand will be fully reopened to the world on July 31, completing our reconnection two months ahead of schedule,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

Before Corona, more than three million tourists

Australians, but also tourists from the USA, Great Britain and more than 50 other countries have been allowed to enter the country again since the beginning of May. Following the announcement, guests from China, India and more will be able to holiday in New Zealand again from July 31st. Then the obligation to test before departure to New Zealand should also fall, as the government announced.

Before the pandemic, more than three million tourists visited New Zealand every year. They accounted for 20 percent of foreign earnings and more than five percent of the overall economy. The tourism industry welcomed the government’s announcement.

Japan considers tentative opening

According to media reports, Japan also wants to reopen its borders to foreign tourists after more than two years of isolation – albeit gradually. According to this, the government is considering allowing the first small travel groups into the country for test purposes this month, as reported by the Japanese media.

It is uncertain when Japan will also open up to individual tourism. The number of corona cases in intensive care units has fallen. But first the government wants to examine the effects of the “Golden Week”, a series of public holidays, which has just ended on the infection process. For the first time in two years, millions of Japanese were on the move again during this time.

Relaxation of border controls announced

Japan, which imposed the toughest entry restrictions of all seven major democratic economies (G7) due to the corona pandemic, is under pressure to end its policy of isolation.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a far-reaching relaxation of border controls during a visit to London last week. From June, the upper limit for entries is to be doubled to 20,000 per day, as reported by the Kyodo news agency. Before the outbreak of the pandemic, 140,000 Japanese and foreigners had entered the country every day.