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Vaccine passport likely: PM

Brook Sabin

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has indicated New Zealand will only be open to vaccinated tourists when the border eventually opens.

She made the comment while giving an update on the rollout of the Pfizer vaccine.

Ardern gave her most substantial indication yet that foreign visitors to the country would need to show proof of vaccine when the border eventually opens.

‘‘I think New Zealanders would have an expectation that if they’ve made the effort to keep themselves safe by being vaccinated, that those who are wishing to visit New Zealand show a similar sense of responsibility.

‘‘It’s becoming a global trend, and I think it would be very unusual if New Zealand didn’t have some of those requirements.’’

Ardern noted no final decision had been made but said an increasing number of countries have already implemented such measures.

The Australian Government has indicated vaccine passports could even be required for interstate travel. Qantas has also said proof of vaccine will be mandatory to fly on its aircraft.

Ardern said work on potential vaccine certificates for Kiwis was ongoing.

The prime minister was repeatedly asked if she had a timetable for relaxing border restrictions, to which she was non-committal.

‘‘We are asking our expert groups, like Professor David Skegg and his team, to consider what a vaccination rollout will mean for the way we operate our borders.’’

National News

en-nz

2021-06-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281754157275823

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