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As the Omicron Variant wanes, New Zealand aims to repeal the pandemic mandates over the next few weeks.
Despite seeing some of the highest rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations since the beginning of the pandemic (averaging at 17,000 infections per day), Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has declared that people will no longer need to be vaccinated to visit places like retail stores, restaurants and bars from the 4th of April. Moreover, vaccine mandates will be scrapped for certain work sectors- including teachers, police officers and waiters- but will persist for health-care and aged-care workers, border workers and correction officers.
The limit on outdoor crowds of 100 will also be lifted on Friday, initiating the resumption of concerts and large-scale sporting events. However, it will still remain a requirement for people to wear masks in most enclosed spaces- including stores, public transport and in
school classrooms.
What these actions indicate is that many restrictions will be removed before international tourism resumes its course in New Zealand. Just earlier this month, the government announced that Australian tourists would be welcomed back from the 12th of April, while tourists from various other countries -including the U.S., Canada and Britain- from the 1st of May.
