26 deaths related to covid-19 recorded in the nation, since the pandemic was declared
New Zealand - which has had some of the world's strictest Covid-19 rules to outsider travellers - is planning to reopen its borders from early next year.
Since the pandemic was declared, the country has recorded 26 Covid-19 related deaths - one of the lowest globally.
From early 2022, fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries will not be required to quarantine.
But travellers from medium and high-risk nations will have to self-isolate, the exact details are currently unknown.
Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, says it will be a phased reopening:
The countries officials will also delay the administration of second Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, in order to protect residents & increase the number of first dose administrations, as the threat of the Delta variant grows.
Epidemiologist David Skegg, who chairs a group which advises the country's government, has told TVNZ everyone there needs to be vaccinated:
