New Zealand: Officials to require pre-departure COVID-19 test for travelers from most countries starting 2359 Jan. 25 /update 2

Event

New Zealand officials will require almost all inbound international passengers to receive a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test within 72 hours of departure from 2359 Jan. 25. 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, are exempt from pre-departure and arrival testing. Exemptions are also in place for passengers who cannot receive a test due to medical reasons or previously recovered from COVID-19 but still return a positive test; in both instances, individuals must obtain a medical certificate certifying the information to enter the country. Authorities will accept negative COVID-19 test results for passengers whose flights get delayed 24 hours or less. Vaccinated travelers must still get tested under the new regulation and provide a medical certificate if they test positive for COVID-19. The government could issue a fine of up to NZD 1,000 (USD 713) for passengers that do not meet pre-departure testing requirements starting Feb. 8.

Domestic Restrictions
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 does not impose any limits on gathering size and social distancing requirements for businesses. All companies, including entertainment venues, can operate 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.

Officials have extended a ban on cruise ships entering New Zealand ports; cargo and fishing vessels will be allowed to load and unload and undertake repairs.

Travel Restrictions
An entry ban for most foreign nationals remains in place. Officials allow partners and dependents of citizens with a visa based on the relationship or that usually reside in New Zealand and diplomatic staff to enter the country without prior government consent. Authorities also permit entry for partners, dependents, and legal guardians of citizens without visas. Australian citizens and permanent residents in New Zealand, Samoan and Tongan citizens on essential trips approved by their governments, and travelers for humanitarian reasons can also enter the country. Individuals from the Cook Islands can enter New Zealand without quarantine from Jan. 21.

The government allows 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.

Travelers from the US and the UK must obtain a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure. 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.

Authorities continue to quarantine inbound passengers at government-designated facilities for 14 days. Almost all arrivals must undergo a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival and on day three and 12 of quarantine and receive a negative result before departing facilities. 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 2,211) for the first person, NZD 950 (USD 677) for each additional adult, and NZD 475 (USD 338) per additional child. Children under three years of age are exempt if 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 the country before Aug. 11 and intend to return home longer than 90 days. 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

Consider postponing 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