New Zealand: Authorities extend lockdown and implement eased Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions in Auckland from 23:59 Sept. 21 /update 23

Event

Authorities are downgrading COVID-19 restrictions in Auckland from the highest level 4 to level 3 for at least two weeks from 23:59 Sept. 21. Under level 3 measures, Auckland will remain under lockdown but with some eased restrictions. Stay-home measures remain in effect; exemptions are possible for people purchasing essential goods, working in essential sectors, receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, and exercising. Authorities advise unvaccinated people aged above 65 to stay at home. Officials also require residents to maintain their household bubble but now allow close family members and caregivers to visit. Gatherings remain prohibited but up to 10 people may attend weddings and funerals. Essential businesses and services can remain open; more establishments may offer click-and-collect services and contactless delivery. Personal care and entertainment venues like bars, cafes, cinemas, hairdressers, and libraries remain closed. Food establishments may only offer delivery and takeaway services. Facemasks are mandatory at essential businesses, public transport, and places where social distancing is not possible. Individuals may use private vehicles or public transport to travel within local areas near their residence for permitted reasons like essential work, school, accessing local businesses, and low-risk exercise. Bus services continue to operate on a reduced schedule. Regional travel out of an alert 3 level remains limited; exit and entry restrictions between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand remain in place. Exemptions are possible for reasons like receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, accessing healthcare, airport transfer, and attending court, among others. Business travel across regions of different alert levels is permitted for essential workers in sectors like accommodation, construction, food delivery, and freight services. Workers must continue to telecommute. Employees that need to work on-site must adhere to health protocols like wearing facemasks, maintaining a distance of 2 meters (6.5 feet) from others, and keeping a record of visitors using the COVID Tracer application or physical record.

All locations outside of Auckland will continue to enact the less strict level 2 measures. Under level 2 rules, businesses may operate with health protocols in place. Some indoor public facilities such as gyms require people to stay at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) apart. Public transport services are operational, though passengers may not stand on board the vehicles. Facemasks are mandatory in most public venues. Indoor venues may hold up to 50 people at a time while attendance at outdoor events is limited to 100 people. There are no restrictions on who can be included in a household bubble. Individuals transiting through Auckland will not be allowed to stop in the city if they’re moving from south of Auckland to Northland.

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. Quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia remains suspended through at least Nov. 19. 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 other permitted travelers must spend 14 days outside of very high-risk countries before traveling to New Zealand.

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. 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.

Inbound passengers must either quarantine or undergo managed isolation upon arrival. Individuals entering 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. Entrants without symptoms must spend 14 days at a managed isolation facility. Passengers flying to New Zealand must obtain a Managed Isolation Allocation system voucher to board a flight. Symptomatic arrivals or people who test positive for COVID-19 must undergo quarantine. 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