New Zealand: Officials to tighten rules nationwide 2359 Feb. 14-2359 Feb. 17, with stricter curbs in Auckland /update 3

Event

New Zealand officials will tighten rules aimed at stemming coronavirus disease (COVID-19) nationwide, with stricter protocols in Auckland, 2359 Feb. 14-2359 Feb. 17, following the discovery of three new local cases. Auckland will implement Level 3 restrictions, under which residents are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible. People must keep a 2-meter (6.5-feet) physical distancing from one another when in public. Public venues, including food courts and markets, will close. Weddings and funerals may take place with no more than 10 people. Businesses that require close physical contact must close. Employees are encouraged to telecommute where possible. Workers who operate on-site must practice health protocols, like keeping a 1-meter (3-feet) physical distancing from one another. Nonresidents should not travel to areas under Level 3 controls. Police will almost certainly deploy and impose roadblocks and identification checks to enforce the restrictions, especially on the boundaries of the Auckland Region.

Other parts of New Zealand will enact Level 2 restrictions, less strict than Level 3 curbs, 2359 Feb. 14-2359 Feb. 17. Locals are encouraged to keep a physical distancing of at least one meter (three feet) from one another when in public. Gatherings are capped at 100 attendees. Businesses and public venues are allowed to operate with protocols, such as a 1-meter (3-feet) physical distancing for the staff of most workplaces. Officials encourage companies to allow telecommuting, stagger shifts and refrain from communal activity within workplaces. People are allowed to travel to other regions that are also enacting Level 2 protocols.

Nationwide rules remain in place. The government requires all businesses and public facilities to post unique 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 will be allowed to load and unload and undertake repairs.

Travel Restrictions
An entry ban for most foreign nationals remains in place. Officials allow partners and dependents of citizens with a visa based on the relationship or that usually reside in New Zealand and diplomatic staff to enter the country without prior government consent. Authorities also permit entry for partners, dependents, and legal guardians of citizens without visas. Australian citizens and permanent residents in New Zealand, Samoan and Tongan citizens on essential trips approved by their governments, and travelers for humanitarian reasons can also enter the country.

Authorities require most inbound international passengers to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before 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 713).

The government allows entry for some critical workers. Companies must apply for a visa and 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. The government requires people from these groups to receive permission before traveling to the country and will review applications for travel on a case-by-case basis.

Authorities continue to quarantine inbound passengers at government-designated facilities for 14 days. Almost all arrivals must undergo a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival and on day 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. Officials have instituted a quarantine fee structure for inbound travelers. Most travelers allowed into the country will have to pay NZD 3,100 (USD 2,211) for the first person, NZD 950 (USD 677) for each additional adult, and NZD 475 (USD 338) 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 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 and were outside the country before that date. 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. Plan to undergo quarantine if entering the country. Defer all nonessential travel to Auckland. Make allowances for increased employee absenteeism and other business disruptions. Limit domestic trips to government-approved travel; be prepared to explain reasons for travel to authorities.

Resources

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