New Zealand to reopen borders in phases from end-Feb.

Vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia can travel home quarantine-free from Feb. 27 while citizens in the rest of the world will be able to do so two weeks later, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday, announcing a phased reopening of the borders.

Vaccinated backpackers, some skilled workers and international students will also be allowed into the country between March and April, and can self-isolate instead of staying at state isolation facilities, Ardern said.

Tourists from Australia cannot enter until July, and travellers from the rest of the world will be kept out for another eight months, until October.

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