Cooks Govt to amend travel advisory to accommodate Kiwi visitors
Government will be amending border restrictions “very soon” to allow Kiwi travelers to visit the Cook Islands, Prime Minister Mark Brown said.
The move is in line with the PM’s pronouncement last week that the Cook Islands will be ready to accept New Zealand visitors as of May 1 – a date he says sends a clear signal to tourism stakeholders that have suffered over 12 months of border closures. But it remains unclear if that move by Government will begin a flow of Kiwi travelers to the country.
“We’ve concentrated on what we need to do, to send that message out and be confident that we are ready for business,” said Mr Brown, who returned to Rarotonga with an entourage of senior Government officials on Good Friday after whirlwind trip to NZ – his first official state visit as PM.
“We will be ready on the first of May, but of course that is up to the airlines and up to the New Zealand public if they wish to travel.” Travel to the Cook Islands is currently restricted to Cook Islands nationals, work permit holders, and permanent residents. Should Government go ahead with amending the travel advisory, those who have been in NZ or the Cook Islands for at least two weeks will be allowed to enter the country.
“We have proven that we have managed to keep COVID out of our country, so we have systems in place, working with the New Zealand health ministry, to have confidence in opening up again,” said Mr Brown.
It remains unclear if Kiwis will be permitted to return to NZ after a Raro vacation without facing any travel restrictions.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently advises citizens not to travel overseas due to health risks and travel restrictions associated with COVID-19. However, since January, New Zealanders and others residing in the Cook Islands have been permitted to fly to Auckland without having to undergo mandatory quarantine.