New Zealand: Officials extend lockdown restrictions in Auckland through Sept. 13 /update 20

Event

Authorities have extended level 4 lockdown measures in Auckland through Sept. 13 due to COVID-19 activity. Under level 4 restrictions, stay-home measures are in effect; exemptions are possible for people purchasing essential goods, working in essential sectors, receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, and exercising. Essential businesses and services can remain open; some establishments may sell products online. Freight and courier services may continue to operate. Officials encourage at most one person from each household to purchase essential goods. Restaurants, bars, cafes, and public venues like cinemas and libraries remain closed. Gatherings are banned. Public transport, including air travel and ferries, are mostly restricted to essential workers. Some public transport is available for other essential personal movement but will operate limited services. Facemasks are mandatory on public transport, flights, and at essential businesses. Authorities recommend individuals wear facemasks in closed spaces where social distancing is impossible and maintain a distance of 2 meters (6.5 feet) from other people.

The government will ease restrictions in most areas nationwide to level 3 beginning 23:59 Aug. 31; Northland will move to level 3 from 23:59 Sept. 2. Under level 3 measures, residents may travel within their local area but must limit their social activities to their household bubble and cannot invite friends or extended family to their homes. Most businesses may reopen but with health protocols and contactless options for delivery, ordering, payment, and pick up in place. However, businesses with close physical contact like hairdressers and gyms remain suspended. Customers cannot enter business premises except for certain establishments like supermarkets, petrol stations, and pharmacies, amongst others. Staff must continue to telecommute as much as possible. Facemasks are mandatory on public transport, flights, at essential businesses, and in closed spaces where social distancing is not possible. Food establishments may only offer delivery and takeaway services. Authorities allow gatherings of up to 10 people for funerals and weddings. Most bus services continue to operate on a reduced schedule. Travel between regions remains heavily restricted; exemptions are in place for essential workers for specific reasons.

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. A ban on cruise ships entering New Zealand ports remains in place; cargo and fishing vessels can load, unload, and undertake repairs.

Travel Restrictions
An entry ban for most foreign nationals remains in place. Officials permit partners and dependents of citizens who hold a visa based on the relationship or usually reside in New Zealand and diplomats to enter without prior government consent. Authorities also allow partners, dependents, legal guardians of citizens, and diplomats to enter the country. Australian citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand, Samoan and Tongan citizens on essential trips approved by their governments, and travelers for humanitarian reasons can also enter. The government has designated Brazil, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea as very high risk. Only citizens, partners, dependents, and parents of citizens can fly directly from these locations into New Zealand; all otherwise permitted travelers must spend 14 days in another country before traveling to the country.

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. Some essential long-term workers can also 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 before departure. Exemptions exist for individuals traveling from Antarctica, some Pacific Island nations and territories, and some countries where widespread COVID-19 testing is unavailable. 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. Passengers that do not meet pre-departure testing requirements may face a fine of up to NZD 1,000.

Most inbound passengers must quarantine at government-designated facilities for 14 days. Travelers from Niue are exempt from quarantine unless they have visited any designated locations of interest. Entrants from most locations must undergo a COVID-19 test within 24 hours after arrival and on days three and 12 of quarantine and receive a negative result before departing facilities. Vessel crews arriving in New Zealand must isolate onboard for at least 14 days which can include the journey time if verified by customs.

Officials charge quarantine fees of NZD 3,100 for the first person, NZD 950 for each additional adult, and NZD 475 per child for citizens and permanent residents. Children under three years of age are exempt if staying with another person. New Zealand citizens and 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 exempt from fees if they were residents in New Zealand as of March 19, 2020, and were outside the country before that date. Quarantine fees are higher for permitted critical workers and most short-term permitted entrants - including partners of citizens and residents and students, work, and limited visa holders to NZD 5,520 for the first individual, NZD 2,990 for each additional adult, and NZD 1,610 per 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