New Zealand has said it will ease coronavirus border restrictions that have been in place since March 2020, and move to a system of home isolation for fully vaccinated overseas arrivals from early next year, Reuters reports.

The country was among the first to shut down its borders in response to the pandemic last year and has retained these tough border restrictions — leaving many expatriate citizens and residents stranded for months.

The government said fully vaccinated overseas travellers will spend only seven days in state quarantine facilities from November 14, half of the current requirement.

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