The New Zealand Government has temporarily closed its High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados and its Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
“Due to the increasing scarcity of air links in and out of Bridgetown and Yangon, and the pressure COVID-19 is placing on local health systems, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has decided to temporarily withdraw New Zealand staff and their families from these locations for health and safety reasons,” said Mr Peters.
“The staff returning to New Zealand will contribute to MFAT’s critical COVID-19 response work at head office in Wellington.”
The High Commission in Barbados is closed as of today, and the Embassy in Yangon will close tomorrow (23 March). The temporary closure of these Posts will be reviewed in a month’s time.
Consular services will continue to be provided to New Zealanders in the Caribbean and Myanmar through the Ministry’s 24/7 Consular helpline (
