New Zealand: Officials to require COVID-19 tests for travelers from the US and the UK from 2359 Jan. 15

Event

New Zealand will require travelers from the US and the UK to have a negative coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test result within 72 hours of departure from 2359 Jan. 15. The measure will not apply to children under two years old, people with medical conditions preventing testing, travelers that transit either country for less than 96 hours, or passengers transiting through New Zealand that do not leave the airport. The government will also require all inbound travelers to undergo a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival, in addition to testing in quarantine. Authorities could expand the testing requirement to additional countries in the future. Travelers from Australia, Antarctica, and some Pacific island nations and territories, including the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, will remain exempt from pre-departure and arrival testing.

Authorities are maintaining a Level 1 alert for New Zealand amid a period of no community COVID-19 transmission. The government requires people to wear facemasks on public transport in Auckland and domestic flights nationwide. The mandate also applies to public transport travelers to and from Auckland and taxi and ride-hailing service drivers in the city. In other locations, officials encourage residents to wear facemasks when in public but do not require them under Level 1.

The government is not imposing any limits on gathering size and social distancing requirements for businesses. All companies, including entertainment venues, are operating without restrictions on staff or customers. Employees may also return to offices. The government requires all businesses and public facilities to post unique quick response (QR) codes at entrances to improve contact tracing, regardless of alert level.

Travel Restrictions
An entry ban for most foreign nationals remains in place. Officials allow partners and dependents of citizens to return to the country, provided they have a visa based on the relationship or usually reside in New Zealand. Such travelers and diplomats posted in New Zealand can enter the country without obtaining prior government consent. Authorities permit partners, dependents, and legal guardians of citizens without visas to enter the country. Entry is also possible for humanitarian reasons, Australian citizens and permanent residents who live in New Zealand, and Samoan and Tongan citizens on essential trips approved by their governments.

The government is also permitting some critical workers to travel to New Zealand. Companies must apply for a visa and demonstrate that the employee is working on infrastructure projects or possesses technical skills unobtainable within the country. Additionally, the government will allow some long-term essential workers to enter, provided they meet short-term entrance criteria and earn twice the median salary in the country or participate in a government-backed event. The government requires people from these groups to receive permission before traveling to the country and will review applications for travel on a case-by-case basis.

Authorities continue to quarantine inbound passengers at government-designated facilities for 14 days. All arrivals must undergo two COVID-19 tests on days three and 12 of quarantine and receive a negative result before departing facilities. Officials have also extended the ban on cruise ships entering New Zealand ports; cargo and fishing vessels will be allowed to load and unload and undertake repairs. Vessel crews arriving in New Zealand must spend 14 days in quarantine unless they had been on the vessel for 28 days before docking at the port. Officials have instituted a quarantine fee structure for inbound travelers. Most travelers allowed into the country will have to pay NZD 3,100 (USD 2,225) for the first person and NZD 950 (USD 682) for each additional adult and NZD 475 (USD 341) per additional child. Officials do not charge for children under three years of age if they are staying with another person. New Zealand citizens, residence visa holders, and Australian citizens and permanent residents who typically reside in New Zealand are exempt from costs if they departed before Aug. 11 and intend to stay in the country longer than 90 days upon their return. Temporary visa holders are also exempt from fees if they were residents in New Zealand as of March 19 and were outside the country before that date. Companies can cover the quarantine costs for inbound critical workers.

Advice

Postpone travel to New Zealand if affected by restrictions. Confirm flight status if allowed entry into the country. Follow all official instructions and allow additional time for immigration and health screenings. Plan to undergo quarantine if entering the country. Defer all nonessential travel to Auckland. Make allowances for increased employee absenteeism and other business disruptions. Limit domestic trips to government-approved travel; be prepared to explain reasons for travel to authorities.

Exercise basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

New Zealand Government COVID-19 Information
Managed Isolation and Quarantine
Ministry of Health