New Zealand Drops Vaccine Requirement For Travelers, Ditches Mask Mandates

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Last Updated 15 mins ago

New Zealand has officially decided to drop the vaccine requirement for international visitors, marking its end to some of the most stringent Covid rules in the world. Along with dropping the vaccine requirement, masks will no longer be mandatory in public. The official end to the vaccine requirement will come in about two weeks, on September 26^th.

After this date, all incoming travelers are welcome, whether vaccinated or not. Mask wearing has been eliminated immediately, except for in healthcare facilities. The only requirement that will remain in place is a 7-day isolation period for Covid-positive individuals.

“Finally, rather than feeling that COVID dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our future, we take control back as we continue to drive economic activity and our recovery,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during a Covid-19 media conference.

Ardern went on to say that this will be the first summer since the pandemic began “where our borders are fully reopened, and there isn’t the fear of being separated or stranded—the first summer where we have our certainty.”

New Zealand is currently entering its spring season, which lasts from September to November. Summer in New Zealand lasts from December to February and is the peak season for tourism in the country. As the country joins the ever-growing list of restriction-free countries, it will undoubtedly benefit from an influx of visitors. Many travelers have been itching to travel there for over two years.

What Does This Mean For Travelers?

Get ready to buy a ticket! Travelers who have been holding off on visiting New Zealand due to travel restrictions can now freely travel to the country starting on September 26^th. Visitors will no longer need to take a test before or after arrival, show proof of vaccination, or quarantine upon arrival. New Zealand has endless amounts of captivating scenery, the people are friendly, and their summer is a great time to visit one of the country’s many beaches or lakes.

Getting To New Zealand

Getting to New Zealand is no small task. Flights are long, and it can be challenging to find round-trip tickets for under $1,000. For travelers interested in visiting during New Zealand’s summer (America’s winter), there are currently 7 U.S. cities that fly non-stop to Auckland, New Zealand. In order to aid travelers planning to visit, Travel Off Path has listed each of these cities below, with flight times and ticket costs for a 2-week trip from January 17^th to January 31^st2023. Only non-stop flights were considered for the prices shown.

Travelers should also keep in mind that these fares were found using Google Flights on 9/12/2022. With the recent announcement of travel restrictions being scrapped, prices could be higher than typical.

U.S. Cities That Fly Direct To Auckland (AKL)

• Chicago (ORD)
  • Cost: $2,081 round-trip, carry-on and checked bag included
• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
  • Cost: $1,995 round-trip, carry-on and checked bag included
• Honolulu (HNL)
  • Cost: $1,201 round-trip, carry-on and checked bag included
• Houston (IAH)
  • Cost: $1,923 round-trip, carry-on and checked bag included

• Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Flight Time: 13h 05
  • Carrier: Air New Zealand
  • Cost: $1,788 round-trip, carry-on and checked bag included
• New York City (JFK)
  • Flight Time: 17h 50
  • (1-16 to 1-30, no flights on 1-17)
  • Carrier: Air New Zealand
  • Cost: $2,458 round-trip, carry-on and checked bag included
• San Francisco (SFO)
  • Flight Time: 13h 05
  • Carrier: Air New Zealand
  • Cost: $2,173 round-trip, carry-on and checked bag included

Bonus Fare: Vancouver, Canada to Auckland, New Zealand (YVR – AKL)

• Flight Time: 14h 15
  • Cost: $1,684 round-trip, carry-on and checked bag included

What To Know When Traveling To New Zealand

New Zealand is a beautiful country and is well worth the effort it takes to get there. Now that the country is reopening completely to tourists, travelers will likely be booking their trips for the upcoming summer (New Zealand’s summer, that is).

As a result, flight prices may be elevated at the momentbut using Google’s Price Insights will help show whether or not you are getting a reasonable rate. With that in mind, below are a few more tips that will be helpful to the first-time New Zealand traveler:

• Summer is from December to February and is the busiest time for tourists.
• Renting a car? Be prepared to drive on the left!
• One of the most exciting ways to see the country is to travel in a camper van. There are many parks you can camp in that have all sorts of amenities. (For a list of parks, check out the New Zealand Department of Conservation site)
• Have an emergency? Dial 111 rather than 911
• Pack sunscreen! The UV index in New Zealand is quite high, and it is easy to burn, even when the sun is behind the clouds.
• When eating at a restaurant, it’s customary to walk to the counter to pay your bill when finished. Also, tipping is not expected in New Zealand.

Most importantly, have fun! Travel is becoming easy and enjoyable again after years of restrictions. Although travel this summer has been chaotic due to delays and lost luggage, demand isn’t slowing. People are happy to take on the risk of travel disruption this year to get back out there and enjoy themselves. To help make sure you make it through to your destination without disruption, lessen your chances of a lost bag, know your passenger rights, and check out these 8 tips for navigating travel chaos.

This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories