Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Raffman has announced his government's intention to open its borders to tourism from July 1, 2022, according to local media.

In addition, Health Minister Bruno Reincoon announced that Vanuatu will relax most restrictions on the outbreak from 8 April.

The health minister said the government was reviewing current COVID-19 restrictions with a view to easing them to ensure economic turnover while keeping the incidence of the outbreak to a minimum.

The government is encouraging the tourism industry to start preparing now for the transition period so that it can welcome visitors once the borders reopen. The prime minister stressed that this was to boost the country's economy.