New Zealand reopens to tourists after two-years

New Zealand has reopened its borders to more international visitors after a pandemic lockout of more than two years.

The government has credited the nation’s low Covid death toll – 713 deaths for a population of five million – to its isolation strategy, as well policies of rapid testing, tracing and lockdown.

New Zealand sealed its borders in March 2020 – requiring even returning citizens to complete weeks of quarantine upon entering.

Travellers touched down at Auckland Airport on Monday, many to emotional reunions with family and friends.

People from more than 60 countries are now able to enter the country if they’re vaccinated and Covid-negative.

Citizens have been able to travel in and out since March, while Australians have been let in since April.