As one of the last countries in the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand is now welcoming international guests again.
The country today opened its borders to twice-vaccinated visitors from 60 visa-waiver countries, including Austria, for the first time in more than two years. However, the tourism industry does not expect the sector to recover until October - also because winter is just beginning in New Zealand. In addition, the authorities continue to require a negative CoV test before departure in the home country and a second when entering New Zealand. The island state had largely sealed itself off from the outside world in March 2020 and at times pursued a zero-Covid strategy. The ORF reports.