Coronavirus: tears and hugs as New Zealand border reopens; South Korea ditches vaccine pass despite record death toll
- New Zealand is removing the requirement for vaccinated travellers to self-isolate on arrival despite record high infections in the country
- Elsewhere, South Korea has rescinded its ‘anti-epidemic pass’ to free up resources as the country reported a record daily death toll
New Zealanders stranded overseas by the pandemic returned home to tears and hugs on Monday as the country began dismantling some of the world’s toughest Covid-19 border restrictions.
At Auckland airport, relatives carrying signs such as “welcome home my dearest daughter” scooped up loved ones allowed into the country without mandatory hotel quarantine for the first time in almost two years.
“It feels amazing to be home, it’s still quite unbelievable really,” one of the passengers, John Davis, told The New Zealand Herald. “The one thing I want to say is ‘stay open NZ’.”
Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand’s chief customer and sales officer, said Monday marked the first step in reconnecting New Zealand with the world.
“We expect to have more than 300 flights available between New Zealand and Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast for the month of March alone,” Geraghty said.
“Once we have a clearer view as to the level of demand, we will adjust the schedule accordingly, but we’re confident there will be seats available.”