Covid 19 coronavirus: government announces new Covid testing rules

The Government has announced a set of new measures to protect New Zealand as the Covid-19 threat amplifies around the world.

Starting today, passengers from anywhere in the world except Australia, Antarctica, and some Pacific Island nations will be required to undergo Day 0/1 testing upon arrival in New Zealand.

This expands the measures already in place for UK and US passengers.

In addition to this, Chief Health Officer Ashley Bloomfield will now have the power to expand the pre-departure testing requirement to all countries and territories except Australia, Antarctica and some Pacific Island nations.

I could use those powers next week.

“New Zealand already has some of the most stringent border protection measures in the world. Today’s amendments further strengthen that position in line with the government’s blanket phase-out strategy,” said Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins.

The measures that the Government announced today are in addition to those already in force for those arriving in New Zealand from the United Kingdom or the United States.

As of 11.59 pm on Friday, travelers arriving on all flights from those countries must have had a negative Covid-19 test result in the 72 hours before their departure.

Hipkins said New Zealand is in the fortunate position of not having community cases of any new type of variant, “but we don’t take anything for granted.”

“That is why we continue to take action, with very specific steps to further strengthen our response at the air border.”

The new Day 0/1 rules will be phased into the Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facility over three days, starting Monday, January 18.

Routine testing on Day 3 and Day 12 will continue, Hipkins said.

Meanwhile, Hipkins announced a number of other amended Air Border Orders that he signed today.

• Children under two years of age will be exempt from the pre-departure tests

• Passengers transiting the UK and US for no more than 96 hours prior to departing for New Zealand will be exempt from pre-departure testing for now.

• RT-PCR, LAMP and viral antigen tests will be accepted for pre-departure testing

• All tests must be processed in a laboratory.

• A hard copy or an electronic copy of the test result from an accredited laboratory will be acceptable documentation of a negative test.

• Upon arrival in New Zealand, travelers will be required to present proof of their negative test result to a customs officer during passport processing. A hard copy or an electronic copy will be accepted.

In rare cases, Hipkins said the requirement for a 72-hour advance test can be extended to 96 hours if a person’s flight has been delayed or canceled, or the test results have not been received on time.

In this situation, however, the flight must be rescheduled or booked to depart within 24 hours.

But he reiterated that all travelers, including those exempt from the pre-departure testing requirement, will be required to complete the mandatory 14-day isolation that applies to all newcomers to New Zealand.

As of January 29, arriving in New Zealand without evidence of a negative passed test or medical certificate will incur a violation charge or a fine not to exceed $ 1000.

“Given the high infection rates in many countries and the evidence of the global spread of more communicable variants, it is clear that most global air routes will be a critical concern for the foreseeable future, and we must respond vigorously to the evolving situation. “, Hipkins. said.

Collins asks for more proof

This morning, National Leader Judith Collins called for a blanket extension of all pre-start test rules.

“The threat to New Zealand from the highly infectious strains of Covid-19 that are devastating the UK and South Africa must be taken seriously,” he said this morning.

Given the increased risk from the new strain, which has already been detected in New Zealand’s managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities, Collins said it is time to act now.

“If New Zealand does not act quickly then we will seek a full border closure with the UK or another crippling closure of the economy here.”

“Pre-departure testing is a crucial additional layer of defense against Covid-19, but the government’s fragmented approach of only applying it in two countries is pointless.”

Covid-19, he said, is not slowing down.

“If we want to enjoy the rest of our Kiwi summer, the Government must make pre-departure testing a requirement for all travelers immediately.”

Yesterday, Collins urged the government to accelerate the launch of the Covid-19 vaccine, given the increased risk of the new variant that is devastating the United Kingdom and South Africa.

National wants front-line workers, such as those working in controlled isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities, to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.

“New Zealand has lagged the rest of the world with its vaccine program and the government must explain why.”