New Zealand eases entry regs – earlier than expected

New Zealand has now rescinded testing requirements for arrivals into the country – a little earlier than expected. Here’s what that means…

Entry requirements for New Zealand arrivals

Visitors to New Zealand will now no longer need to provide a pre-departure test when entering the country. This decision was made after health authorities saw a continuing decline in COVID-19 cases in the country. According to travel news, the New Zealand government’s original plan had been to remove this requirement for pre-departure testing for all arrivals on 31 July, but it has now been fast-tracked and was recently rescinded on 20 June. 

Dr Ayesha Verrall, the country’s COVID-19 Response Minister, said that despite more than 387 000 visitors entering New Zealand since borders reopened, cases were continually on the decline.

“Around 90% of international arrivals undertake their required testing once they are in the country, with only a 2-3% positivity rate. So we don’t anticipate a significant increase in border cases once the requirement is lifted,” she said.

“In addition, the challenges pre-departure tests pose to visitors are now no longer outweighed by the public health benefits.” she added.

Dr Verrall also said that certain factors like the availability of and cost of getting tests are becoming a barrier for people intending to travel to the country, especially when other countries have removed almost all entry requirements altogether.

“We’ve taken a careful and staged approach to reopening our borders to ensure we aren’t overwhelmed with an influx of COVID-19 cases. Our strategy has worked and, as a result, it’s safe to lift pre-departure test requirements much sooner than planned.” Verrall concluded.

What do visitors need to be aware of?

International visitors are still liable to self-test on Day 0/1 and again on Day 5/6, and if the result of either test is positive, they must then take a PCR test. 

As of 20 June, as well, passengers transiting through New Zealand no longer need to be vaccinated, nor will they have to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration form before their transit. 

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