On 13 September 2021, the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Government announced that the Cook Islands – New Zealand borders are likely to be re-opened to New Zealand visitors when the whole of New Zealand is at Alert Level 1.
Professor Michael Plank of the University of Canterbury has been quoted in the Cook Islands News that “a reasonably optimistic scenario would have Auckland move to Alert Level 3 next Tuesday 21 September and move to Alert Level 2 a week later on September 28. Then you would potentially be in a situation where you’ve had 14 days with no new cases around 6 October”.
When the borders re-open, full (double dose) COVID-19 vaccination will be mandatory for all visitors aged 12 years and over. Only those visitors aged under 12 years or with a medical certificate will be exempted.
https://cookislands.travel/news/cook-islands-prime-minister-announcement-13-september-2021
The following link to the New Zealand Ministry of Health website sets out how to organize certification of your vaccination status to meet this requirement.
While it is unclear exactly when the Cook Islands – New Zealand border will re-open, if you are holding a booking during September and October 2021, and wish to reschedule or cancel your booking, please contact whomever you made your booking with, whether a travel agency or direct with the resort.
For those guests that booked on non-refundable rates prior to the border closure on 27 March 2020, regardless of your planned travel dates, we are pleased to offer the following special additional considerations, without penalty or change fee and subject to availability:
- You can change your dates of travel up until 31 March 2023; or
- b) You can transfer your booking to another person. This name change must be advised in writing to the Resort no later than 30 days prior to intended travel.
If you have any questions about your current or future booking please contact us as follows;
The Rarotongan Beach Resort or Sanctuary Rarotonga;
Email: info@rarotongan.co.ck
Freephone: 0800-727-686
Telephone: +(682) 25-800
Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort;
Email: reservations@aitutakilagoonresort.com
Freephone: 0800-248-882
Telephone: +(682) 31-200
We look forward to welcoming all our guests back to the Cook Islands as soon as the Cook Islands – New Zealand border re-opens, which we hope will be sooner rather than later!
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