Cook Islands extends border closure for inbound travel after COVID-19 outbreak in New Zealand

Cook Islands extends border closure for inbound travel.
Kiwis have a further wait before they can holiday in Rarotonga. Photo credit: Getty

The Cook Islands government has extended border closure measures in place for inbound travel.

Cabinet met on Tuesday evening in Rarotonga and decided to extend the closure, which has been in place since Thursday last week after the re-emergence of COVID-19 in the community in New Zealand.

In a statement the Cook Islands government said the border closure will now remain in place until Tuesday, August 25.

The New Zealand government will be reviewing its COVID-19 alert levels this Friday, August 21.

One exemption is being made to the Cook Islands border ban for two essential workers who helped escort patients to Auckland last week, they will be brought back to Rarotonga on a flight this Friday.

The pair have been in managed isolation in Auckland this entire time.

The Cook Islands cabinet has also instructed Te Marae Ora to look into the establishment of a 14-day supervised quarantine facility in New Zealand to help facilitate safe travel to the Cook Islands.

RNZ