New Zealand: Authorities order transition to Phase 3 of COVID-19 response from Feb. 25 /update 38

Event

New Zealand will move into Phase 3 of its COVID-19 response plan from Feb. 25 due to the spread of the Omicron variant. Under the revised regulations, close contacts of COVID-19 cases no longer need to self-quarantine but must monitor for symptoms for 10 days. Only confirmed COVID-19 cases and household contacts need to self-quarantine for 10 days. Individuals that test positive for COVID-19 may self-release after 10 days without a test, while household contacts must undergo tests on days 3 and 10 of self-quarantine. The government continues to allow household contacts that work in critical industries, such as food supply, infrastructure, and healthcare, to return to work during their isolation periods by returning a negative daily Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), provided they are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. Critical employees must still self-quarantine outside of work hours.

Officials also stated that RATs will be the primary means to test for COVID-19. PCR tests will be used on priority groups and are no longer required to verify a positive RAT result. Additionally, a new self-investigation tool will allow positive cases to self-notify close contacts.

Authorities will ease entry requirements from 23:59 Feb. 27, permitting fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and residents and other eligible travelers from Australia to enter the country. Inbound travelers must receive a negative result from a PCR test 48 hours or less before departure or a RAT or LAMP test within 24 hours before departure. Arrivals under the arrangement must self-quarantine for seven days and undergo RATs twice. Unvaccinated people, passengers exempt from vaccination, and other permitted travelers in Australia for less than 14 days must continue to quarantine at government-designated facilities.

Domestic Measures
Authorities are maintaining a red risk level, the highest of the government's COVID-19 traffic light system, nationwide. Officials permit activity in areas under red designations based on vaccination status, with relaxed measures effective for establishments using My Vaccine Pass requirements. Gatherings can occur with up to 100 fully vaccinated people or 25 mixed or unvaccinated guests. Workplaces can operate; employees must be fully vaccinated in the hospitality sector, close-proximity businesses - like personal services - and indoor exercise facilities. Officials require facemasks on public transport, including flights, retail outlets, public venues, government offices, and for employees at hospitality and close-proximity businesses. Authorities require medical-grade facemasks for workers already under vaccine mandates when in public-facing roles.

Hospitality venues with only fully vaccinated customers can host up to 100 people per distinct area. Hospitality venues can only offer takeaway services if not checking vaccination status. Venues and organizers must limit capacity at gatherings and events to the equivalent of one person per meter (3.2 feet). All accommodations can operate without capacity limits. Businesses must continue to keep a record of visitors. The government requires all companies and public facilities to post quick response (QR) codes at entrances to improve contact tracing.

International Travel Restrictions
An entry ban for most foreign nationals remains in place. Officials permit partners, dependents, and legal guardians of citizens with a visa based on the relationship and usually reside in New Zealand, and diplomats to enter without prior government consent. Authorities also allow other categories of people to enter the country with permission; a complete list of entry reasons is available here. Officials require foreign visitors to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. New Zealand only permits entry for citizens; their partners, parents, and dependents; or guardians of citizen dependents from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Other permitted travelers must spend 14 days outside very high-risk countries before traveling to New Zealand.

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. Entrants must obtain a Managed Isolation Allocation system voucher to board flights.

Inbound passengers must undergo quarantine for at least seven days followed by self-quarantine until they receive a negative result from a test taken on day 9 after arrival. Symptomatic arrivals or people who test positive for COVID-19 must undergo a longer quarantine. Vessel crews arriving in New Zealand must isolate onboard for at least 10 days; journey time can be counted toward quarantine if verified by customs. A ban on cruise ships entering New Zealand ports remains in place; cargo and fishing vessels can load, unload, and undertake repairs. New Zealand citizens and locals from the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, and Vanuatu traveling for a critical purpose can enter the country without quarantine. From Feb. 28, travelers from American Samoa, Nauru, and Tuvalu can also enter without quarantine. The government requires travelers from Tonga to self-quarantine for seven days and undergo testing.

Officials charge quarantine fees of NZD 1,610 for the first person, NZD 460 for each additional adult, and NZD 230 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 for 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 NZD 2,760 for the first individual, NZD 1,495 for each additional adult, and NZD 805 per child for permitted critical workers and most short-term permitted entrants - including partners of citizens and residents and students, work, and limited visa holders.

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