New Zealand: Officials to ease COVID-19 restrictions nationwide from 2359 Feb. 17; tighter measures to continue in Auckland /update 4

Event

Officials will ease restrictions nationwide due to reduced COVID-19 activity from 2359 Feb. 17. Most of the country will return to Level 1; there are no limits gathering size or social distancing requirements for businesses. All companies, including entertainment venues, can operate without restrictions on staff or customers. Employees may also return to offices.

Authorities will enact Level-2 restrictions in Auckland through at least Feb. 22. Officials encourage residents to keep a physical distancing of at least one meter (three feet) from one another when in public and two meters (6.5 feet) in high-traffic locations such as supermarkets. Public gatherings are capped at 100 attendees. Businesses and public venues can operate with protocols, such as a 1-meter (3-feet) physical distancing for the staff. Authorities encourage companies to allow telecommuting, stagger shifts, and refrain from communal activity within workplaces. Residents must wear facemasks on public transport throughout Auckland.

The government requires all businesses and public facilities nationwide to post 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.

The government allows entry for some critical workers. 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 require most inbound international passengers to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure. Exemptions are in place for 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. Exceptions are also in effect 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. Passengers that do not meet pre-departure testing requirements may face a fine of up to NZD 1,000 (USD 721).

Inbound passengers must quarantine at government-designated facilities for 14 days. Almost all arrivals must undergo a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival and on days 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 2,235) for the first person, NZD 950 (USD 685) for each additional adult, and NZD 475 (USD 342) 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.

Resources

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