New Zealand

COVID-19

A number of airlines have ceased services to Australia and flights only depart Auckland. Domestic flights are available from Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson for travellers to connect to an international flight if they meet the criteria outlined below:

• You must hold a ticket for an international flight departing in the next 24 hours
• You must have the right to transit through all countries on your itinerary
• You must be able to drive in private transport to the domestic airport, or complete a public transport, taxi or uber ride within two hours
• You must depart from your current self-isolating location to the airport no more than 24 hours before your international departure
• You must travel by the most direct route possible.

And you must meet the following public health criteria, and will be questioned before travelling:

1. Are not diagnosed with COVID-19 (or have been declared as recovered by a medical doctor)
2. Do not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19
3. Are not awaiting results for COVID19 testing
4. Are not a close contact of a suspected/probable/confirmed case of COVID-19, and,
5. Have not travelled internationally within the last 14 days.

If you meet these criteria you can make a domestic booking, or drive to meet your international flight.

If you can’t or don’t want to leave, follow the advice of local authorities, including observing the lockdown period.  

New Zealand has put in place strict entry restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. From 19 March (NZ time), most foreign travellers can no longer enter New Zealand.  

Australian citizens and permanent residents who normally live in New Zealand can still travel to New Zealand. But you’ll be required to isolate for 14 days in either quarantine or a managed isolation facility. 

If you’re travelling by yacht or small craft you’re not exempt from New Zealand border closures and may be refused entry unless you meet one of the exceptions. Exemptions need to be sought before travelling to New Zealand. For further information see the Travelling by boat page before departing.

We recommend checking with accommodation providers before travelling as some have closed, including camp areas.

The transit of passengers will only be allowed if the following conditions are met

• no COVID-19 test result that is positive or for which the results have not been received in the previous 14 days
• no close contact with a suspected or confirmed case in the previous 14 days
• no symptoms, especially no fever (temperature check undertaken) in the previous 14 days
• an assurance that airlines will permit boarding for the full journey
• an assurance received that the destination country will permit arrival
• an assurance that passengers can meet any entry requirements of the destination country (including measures required in transit, such as temperature checking)
• the airline does not allow unwell passengers on board.

Cruise ships have been banned from entering New Zealand waters until 30 June 2020. Quarantine measures allow authorities to quarantine vessels or aircraft when they come into New Zealand, where there are grounds to believe there may be cases of COVID-19 on board. The public health emergency contingency plans will be activated if a person on board the aircraft or vessel is suspected of having COVID-19.

The New Zealand Government announced a COVID-19 Alert Level System on 21 March.  New Zealand is at Alert Level 3. The Level 3 measures include:

• People instructed to stay at home
• Educational facilities up to and including year 10 are open but with limited capacity, students are encouraged to learn at home if possible.
• Essential services e.g. supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics and lifeline utilities will remain open
• Businesses may open but they must take health measures to keep workers safe. Retail and hospitality businesses can only open for delivery and contactless pre-ordered pick up. Customers cannot physically interact with workers.
• Restrictions on mass gatherings, events and hospitality establishments
• Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed but only for wedding services, funerals and tangihanga. Physical distancing and public health measures must be maintained.
• Travel is severely limited e.g. New Zealand’s borders are closed to almost all travellers.

The COVID-19 Alert Level and entry restrictions can change at short notice.

New Zealand declared state of national emergency on 25 March 2020 covering all of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands, Stewart Island and other offshore islands. The declaration was made to allow a coordinated response to COVID-19 between welfare agencies, border agencies, emergency services and lifeline utilities at the national and regional level.

Following the signing of the Epidemic Notice due to COVID-19 holders of a work, student, visitor, limited or interim visa with an expiry date of 2 April to 9 July 2020 inclusive who are in New Zealand on 2 April 2020 will have their visas automatically extended to 25 September 2020. This includes the NZeTA.

More information:

Quarantine regulations

New Zealand has strict biosecurity rules.

If you don’t declare items for quarantine, you’ll get an instant fine.

If you make a false statement, you’ll face heavy fines and prison sentences.

Electronic devices

When you arrive, customs officers may check electronic devices they suspect are being used in criminal activity. Devices may include:

• mobile phones
• portable tablets
• hard drives
• laptops
• digital cameras

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government