New Zealand to Fully Reopen in October

New Zealand is easing some of the Covid-19 restrictions this month but will not fully reopen until October, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday.

Ardern announced a five-step plan to let New Zealand join the rest of the world, beginning with waiving hotel quarantine requirements for its nationals stranded overseas by the pandemic.

"It's time to move again," said Ardern. "Families and friends need to reunite, our businesses need skills to grow, exporters need to travel to make new connections."

Ardern noted that New Zealanders in Australia might return home and self-isolate, rather than go into quarantine starting from February 27.

This option will be available to other groups such as skilled migrants, international students, Australians, and eventually all vaccinated foreign nationals.

The announcement will include international arrivals self-isolating for 10 days instead of undergoing a 10-day hotel quarantine monitored by New Zealand military personnel.

Ardern had cancelled her wedding to television host Clarke Gayford after announcing new restrictions amid the omicron wave.

“I am no different to, dare I say it, thousands of other New Zealanders who have had much more devastating impacts felt by the pandemic, the most gutting of which is the inability to be with a loved one sometimes when they are gravely ill,” she said.

“That will far, far outstrip any sadness I experience,” the prime minister added.