New Zealand: Authorities to implement new COVID-19 traffic light system nationwide from Dec. 3 /update 31

Event

New Zealand will implement a new COVID-19 traffic light system nationwide from Dec. 3. The system classifies areas as green, orange, and red based on local disease activity and in order of increasingly strict controls.

Domestic Restrictions
Officials plan to move Auckland to red measures from Dec. 3 and intend to remove roadblocks in the city from Dec. 15. The government will announce classifications for the rest of New Zealand Nov. 29.

Differentiated measures will be in effect for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Most businesses that accept vaccination certificates may remain open under all traffic light levels for vaccinated individuals but cannot allow unvaccinated people to enter. Businesses must continue to keep a record of visitors. Events and food establishments that do not use vaccination certificates cannot operate under red and orange measures; gatherings at funerals and weddings are limited to 10 and 50 people under red and orange measures respectively for such venues. Travelers may check further details on the restrictions by clicking here.

Some capacity controls will be in effect for vaccinated individuals in red localities. Gyms, hospitality services, gatherings like weddings and funerals, as well as indoor and outdoor events are limited to 100 vaccinated attendees. Retail and public facilities may open with capacity limits and physical distancing. Facemasks are mandatory in most public venues, including flights. Workers must telecommute where possible.

Officials continue to implement COVID-19 Alert Level 3 measures in Auckland Step 2 on the country's four-tier system as of Nov. 23. Up to 25 people may congregate outdoors. Retail and public facilities, such as libraries, may reopen, with physical distancing and face coverings required. Hospitality and personal service companies remain closed; food establishments may only offer delivery and takeaway services. Workers must continue to telecommute where possible. Employees that need to work on-site must adhere to health protocols like wearing facemasks, physical distance requirements, and keeping a record of visitors using the COVID Tracer application or physical log.

Travel to, from, and between Level 3 areas remains limited. Exemptions are possible for receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and accessing healthcare, among others. Business travel across regions of different alert levels can occur for essential workers. Bus services continue to operate on a reduced schedule.

All other areas of New Zealand are implementing Level 2 restrictions. 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 is operational, though passengers must remain seated on vehicles. Facemasks are mandatory in most public venues. Indoor venues may hold up to 50 people, while attendance at outdoor events is limited to 100 people. Residents south of Auckland cannot stop in the city if traveling 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.

International 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. Authorities require foreign visitors to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. New Zealand citizens and locals from the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, and Vanuatu traveling for a critical purpose can enter the country without quarantine. Quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia remains suspended. 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. Most international arrivals must undergo a COVID-19 test within 24 hours after arrival and on days three and five or six of quarantine. Entrants must spend seven days at a managed isolation facility and isolate at home through day nine until they receive a negative result. 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 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.

Officials charge quarantine fees for 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 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 2,760 for the first individual, NZD 1,495 for each additional adult, and NZD 805 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