New Zealand to open one-way travel for workers from some Pacific nations
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern participates in a televised debate with National leader Judith Collins at TVNZ in Auckland, New Zealand, September 22, 2020. REUTERS FILE PHOTO
WELLINGTON — New Zealand will open up one-way quarantine-free travel for seasonal workers from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu to address labor shortages in the horticulture industry, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
The quarantine-free arrangement is expected to start from September, Ardern said at a news conference. It will only be available to workers who qualify under the Recognized Seasonal Employer scheme, which allows the horticulture sector to recruit labor from overseas for seasonal work when there are not enough New Zealand workers.
The scheme was suspended after the country shut its borders last year due to COVID-19.
“COVID has closed borders and New Zealand like many others experienced workforce shortages,” Ardern said.
“We know our agriculture sector is experiencing challenges,” she said.
Article continues after this advertisementArdern is expected to reveal more details next week about how the country will gradually reopen its borders.
Article continues after this advertisementNew Zealand has successfully contained the spread of coronavirus within its borders and has reported no community cases since February.
The Pacific island nation has reported about 2,500 confirmed coronavirus cases and 26 related deaths.
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
