Trade through the Nathu-La resumed on August 1 after being suspended in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The route will operate seasonally from May to November, with trading from Monday to Thursday under the existing list of approved commodities.

 Nathu-La Border Trade Resumes After Six Years | Wion News 

Vietnam announced on Wednesday that they will be scrapping quarantine and other travel restrictions when it comes to foreign visitors in a move that will see the borders completely reopening after two years.<o:p></o:p>

The Vietnamese government said that the changes will be implemented immediately and the foreign visitors will just have to provide a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. <o:p></o:p>

The Health Ministry also stated that visitors must monitor their own health during the first 10 days of their stay and notify medical professionals in Vietnam if they experience any COVID-19-like symptoms during that time period.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stealth-omicron-behind-chinas-virus-outbreak-says-expert-462588">'Stealth Omicron' behind China's virus outbreak, says expert</a>

According to the government website, Vietnam also announced the resumption of 15 days’ visa-free travel for citizens from 13 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Britain, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus.<o:p></o:p>

The country closed its border in March 2020 amid growing Coronavirus numbers before reopening to international tourism last November for visitors travelling in strict bubbles. According to an AFP report, the country saw 200,000 cases every day due to the Omicron variant.<o:p></o:p>

Although the number of cases dropped quite a bit due to the closed borders, the country suffered huge losses specially in the tourism industry. However, the health ministry believes that the situation “remains under control” with hospitalisation and death rates both staying low in the recent past.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-to-reopen-borders-after-nearly-two-years-of-covid-isolation-462820">New Zealand to reopen borders after nearly two years of Covid isolation</a><o:p></o:p>

According to the official data, Vietnam boasts of a high vaccination rate with around 98 per cent of adults receiving both vaccination doses and the country is currently trying to roll out booster shots.

<o:p>Watch |&nbsp;</o:p>Vietnam: No covid-19 curbs on international flights<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/vietnam-no-covid-19-curbs-on-international-flights-453126/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With agency inputs)

Vietnam announced on Wednesday that they will be scrapping quarantine and other travel restrictions when it comes to foreign visitors in a move that will see the borders completely reopening after two years.

Vietnam announced on Wednesday that they will be scrapping quarantine and other travel restrictions when it comes to foreign visitors in a move that will see the borders completely reopening after two years. The Vietnamese government said that the changes will be implemented immediately and the foreign visitors will just have to provide a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. The Health Ministry also stated that visitors must monitor their own health during the first 10 days of their stay and notify medical professionals in Vietnam if they experience any COVID-19-like symptoms during that time period. Also read | 'Stealth Omicron' behind China's virus outbreak, says expert According to the government website, Vietnam also announced the resumption of 15 days’ visa-free travel for citizens from 13 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Britain, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. The country closed its border in March 2020 amid growing Coronavirus numbers before reopening to international tourism last November for visitors travelling in strict bubbles. According to an AFP report, the country saw 200,000 cases every day due to the Omicron variant. Although the number of cases dropped quite a bit due to the closed borders, the country suffered huge losses specially in the tourism industry. However, the health ministry believes that the situation “remains under control” with hospitalisation and death rates both staying low in the recent past. Also read | New Zealand to reopen borders after nearly two years of Covid isolation According to the official data, Vietnam boasts of a high vaccination rate with around 98 per cent of adults receiving both vaccination doses and the country is currently trying to roll out booster shots. Watch | Vietnam: No covid-19 curbs on international flights (With agency inputs)

Vietnam scraps COVID-19 quarantine for international travellers

New Zealand has decided to bring forward the opening of its international borders after more than two years of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country implemented&nbsp;some of the toughest isolation rules in the world,&nbsp;but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern believes that it is time to return to normalcy as she said that the possible influx of tourists will a massive boost to the nation's economy.

“We’re ready to welcome the world back,” The Guardian quoted Ardern as saying. “New Zealand will be ready with open arms.”

"Closing our border was one of the first actions we took to stop COVID-19, over two years ago, and its reopening will spur our economic recovery throughout the remainder of the year," she added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/47-million-southeast-asians-plunge-into-extreme-poverty-after-the-pandemic-asian-development-bank-462728">4.7 million Southeast Asians plunge into extreme poverty after the pandemic</a>

The New Zealand government has announced that vaccinated tourists from Australia will be able to enter the country without any isolation period from April 12. It means that the Australian tourists will be able to visit New Zealand for the Easter school holidays next month.

“We are ready to roll out the green and gold carpet to our Australian neighbours, and in time for the school holidays,” tourism minister Stuart Nash said. “We have missed you.”

On the other hand, vaccinated tourists from visa-waiver countries which includes the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, Germany and others will also be allowed entry from May 1.

While the strict measures were able to keep the COVID-19 infection rates in check, various industries like tourism and agriculture took a massive hit. According to Tourism Industry Aotearoa, the total tourism expenditure fell by 37 per cent- a loss of around $15.6bn – in 2021.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-urges-children-to-get-vaccinated-as-india-starts-inoculation-drive-for-12-14-age-group-462794">India starts inoculation drive for 12-14 age group</a>

With 72 per cent of the adult population having received the booster shot and 95 per cent of those aged 12 and above getting both vaccination shots, the government believes that it is the right time to end the restrictions.

The visitors must be vaccinated and they will have to provide negative Covid tests upon arrival.

The border is not expected to completely reopen until October for travellers all around the world but the government has hinted that they may consider opening the borders ahead of schedule.

Watch |&nbsp;New Zealand borders to reopen; Visa-Waiver countries tourists can travel from May 1

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-zealand-borders-to-reopen-visa-waiver-countries-tourists-can-travel-from-may-1-462777/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With agency inputs)

New Zealand has decided to bring forward the opening of its international borders after more than two years of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country implemented some of the toughest isolation rules in the world, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern believes that it is time to return to normalcy as she said that the possible influx of tourists will a massive boost to the nation's economy.

New Zealand has decided to bring forward the opening of its international borders after more than two years of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country implemented some of the toughest isolation rules in the world, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern believes that it is time to return to normalcy as she said that the possible influx of tourists will a massive boost to the nation's economy. “We’re ready to welcome the world back,” The Guardian quoted Ardern as saying. “New Zealand will be ready with open arms.” "Closing our border was one of the first actions we took to stop COVID-19, over two years ago, and its reopening will spur our economic recovery throughout the remainder of the year," she added. Also read | 4.7 million Southeast Asians plunge into extreme poverty after the pandemic The New Zealand government has announced that vaccinated tourists from Australia will be able to enter the country without any isolation period from April 12. It means that the Australian tourists will be able to visit New Zealand for the Easter school holidays next month. “We are ready to roll out the green and gold carpet to our Australian neighbours, and in time for the school holidays,” tourism minister Stuart Nash said. “We have missed you.” On the other hand, vaccinated tourists from visa-waiver countries which includes the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, Germany and others will also be allowed entry from May 1. While the strict measures were able to keep the COVID-19 infection rates in check, various industries like tourism and agriculture took a massive hit. According to Tourism Industry Aotearoa, the total tourism expenditure fell by 37 per cent- a loss of around $15.6bn – in 2021. Also read | India starts inoculation drive for 12-14 age group With 72 per cent of the adult population having received the booster shot and 95 per cent of those aged 12 and above getting both vaccination shots, the government believes that it is the right time to end the restrictions. The visitors must be vaccinated and they will have to provide negative Covid tests upon arrival. The border is not expected to completely reopen until October for travellers all around the world but the government has hinted that they may consider opening the borders ahead of schedule. Watch | New Zealand borders to reopen; Visa-Waiver countries tourists can travel from May 1 (With agency inputs)

New Zealand to reopen borders after nearly two years of Covid isolation

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that the country will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated tourists from February 21.

Australia to reopen its borders to double-vaccinated tourists from February 21