New Zealand: Authorities to lift self-quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers from March 3 /update 39

Event

New Zealand will lift self-quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated citizens and eligible travelers from Australia from 23:59 March 2 as part of the country's phased reopening plan. Citizens and eligible travelers entering the country must still 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, and undergo two rapid antigen tests (RATs) upon arrival and on day five or six. Travelers who test positive must report the result, isolate for 10 days, and follow up with a PCR test for authorities to determine the variant. From 23:59 March 4, fully vaccinated citizens and eligible travelers may enter New Zealand from all countries without self-quarantine upon arrival. Additionally, officials will open applications for some working holiday schemes from 23:59 March 13. Further details on New Zealand's 5 phase border reopening for fully vaccinated eligible travelers can be found by clicking here.

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.

Authorities require most inbound international passengers to test negative for COVID-19 within 48 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.

Fully vaccinated inbound passengers must self-quarantine for at least seven days. Travelers must enter Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) if they are not eligible for self-isolation or cannot travel quarantine-free. New Zealand citizens and locals from American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu traveling for a critical purpose can enter the country without quarantine. Vessel crews arriving in New Zealand must isolate onboard for at least seven 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. From 23:59 March 2, fully vaccinated citizens and eligible travelers from Australia do not need to self-quarantine as part of the country's phased reopening plan. From 23:59 March 4, fully vaccinated citizens and eligible travelers may enter New Zealand from all countries without self-quarantine upon arrival. Further details on New Zealand's 5 phase border reopening for fully vaccinated eligible travelers can be found by clicking here.

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