New Zealand: Travel to and from New South Wales, Australia, set to resume from 23:59 May 9; other COVID-19 restrictions in place /update 12

Event

Officials will allow quarantine-free travel to resume to and from New South Wales, Australia, from 23:59 May 9 amid reduced COVID-19 concerns. Authorities suspended flights and quarantine-free travel with the state after officials confirmed local COVID-19 transmission.

Local Restrictions
New Zealand remains at Level 1 of the nation's COVID-19 restrictions plan. The government does not limit gathering size or require businesses to comply with social distancing standards. All companies, including entertainment venues, can operate without staffing or capacity restrictions. Employees may also work on-site at offices. However, all individuals are required to wear facemasks while on public transport nationwide; the mandate affects long-distance bus and train services, ferries, domestic flights, and ride-hailing services.

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 are allowed to load and unload and undertake repairs.

Travel Restrictions
Most inbound passengers must quarantine at government-designated facilities for 14 days. Entrants from most locations 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. Travelers from Niue are exempt from quarantine. Authorities plan to allow quarantine-free travel from the Cook Islands from May 17. Officials also permit quarantine-free travel from most of Australia, provided travelers have not been to any other location for 14 days before arrival. Passengers must travel on designated "green flights" between the two countries to be eligible. Authorities treat each Australian state and territory separately. Officials could temporarily suspend travel from specific states or require travelers from affected areas to quarantine if an outbreak occurs.

The government allows entry for some critical workers on special visas provided companies 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. Authorities require people from these groups to receive permission before traveling to the country and 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 727).

Officials have instituted a quarantine fee structure for inbound travelers. Most travelers allowed into the country will have to pay NZD 3,100 (USD 2,255) for the first person, NZD 950 (USD 691) for each additional adult, and NZD 475 (USD 345) 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, 2020, 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, 2020, and were outside the country before that date. Authorities have increased quarantine fees for permitted critical workers and most short-term permitted entrants - including partners of citizens and residents and student, work, and limited visa holders. The government charges NZD 5,520 (USD 4016) for the first individual, NZD 2,990 (USD 2,175) for each additional adult, and NZD 1,610 (USD 1,171) per additional child. 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.

Resources

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