New Zealand Introduces 14 Day Quarantine for All Arrivals

[craven morehead]

Oh no I have a couple of runs one in April one in may

Likewise

 

[Rangalad]

Meant to start one tomorrow!

 

[Hvr]

One booked in May myself.

 

[Pushka]

Hmm.

New Zealand Transit Visa | Transit NZeTA Application Form

eTA New Zealand application process for transit to another country. Information and requirements for connecting flights through New Zealand.

www.etanewzealand.com

Transit Visa

If you are passing through New Zealand as a transit passenger, you need to apply for a Transit Visa before you travel, unless you are travelling to Australia or are from a visa waiver country or a transit visa waiver country.

www.immigration.govt.nz

Seems to me that transit (airside) would not be subject to the quarantine decision.

But...

Everyone has a different interpretation. It's a crazy world at the moment

 

[goldenhorn]

Have an Easter holiday booked (April 8-14) with some friends on the Nth Island. We are flying with AirNZ. They are only issuing refunds up to March 31 at the moment.

Really hoping we can still go but I guess it’s unlikely.

Will have to wait until then to see if it’s extended and we can get a refund on our flights and AirBnB.

 

[Rangalad]

Everyone has a different interpretation. It's a crazy world at the moment

Nailed it Pushka.
It is a poorly drafted directive.

My interpretation of the NZ announcement: I may travel, but avoid crowds etc. The legal team disagree amongst themselves.

Three hours after the initial tweet, Qantas has yet to provide either direction or guidance.

 

[AIRwin]

Three hours after the initial tweet, Qantas has yet to provide either direction or guidance.

It'll probably be similar to Virgin's policy - even the expected reduction in flights?

Travel alerts | Virgin Australia

Border restrictions are changing and we are receiving higher than normal call volumes. We also advise guests check the latest Government advice prior to travel.

www.virginaustralia.com

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I know it specifically said Cruise Ships were banned till 30 June.

Is there any end date mentioned for 14 Day Quarantine period for incoming persons? Was there a date, or is just indefinite?

 

[Rangalad]

I know it specifically said Cruise Ships were banned till 30 June.

Is there any end date mentioned for 14 Day Quarantine period for incoming persons? Was there a date, or is just indefinite?

Believe it will be reviewed in 16 days

 

[drron]

Why the exemption for Pacific Islanders?
Well permanent residents having lived in NZ for a year without leaving are entitled to vote in NZ elections.
Possibly related?

 

[Rangalad]

It'll probably be similar to Virgin's policy - even the expected reduction in flights?

Travel alerts | Virgin Australia

Border restrictions are changing and we are receiving higher than normal call volumes. We also advise guests check the latest Government advice prior to travel.

www.virginaustralia.com

Thanks mate, the links to the NZ GOV websites are very useful. Still don’t know if I can travel. Knocking off for the night. Going to the airport in the morning, if I can’t travel, c’est la vie.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

I know it specifically said Cruise Ships were banned till 30 June.

Is there any end date mentioned for 14 Day Quarantine period for incoming persons? Was there a date, or is just indefinite?

Reviewed in 16 days but hard to see it being lifted for at least a couple of months if not more since it would require Covid-19 to be no longer spreading in most countries.

Remember the initial China travel ban was for 6 days and it is already 6 weeks with no sign of being lifted.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Why the exemption for Pacific Islanders?
Well permanent residents having lived in NZ for a year without leaving are entitled to vote in NZ elections.
Possibly related?

My understanding is the exemption for (some) Pacific islands is due to lack of Covid-19 spread and since many of those countries are dependent on supplies from NZ. Note there are also strengthened health screening for travel from NZ to the Pacific islands - I haven't seen the details but it could be similar to the existing requirement for Samoa and French Polynesia (must have doctors certificate dated less than 3 days old).

 

[JessicaTam]

Why the exemption for Pacific Islanders?
Well permanent residents having lived in NZ for a year without leaving are entitled to vote in NZ elections.
Possibly related?

My understanding is they are exempt as there have been no cases of COVID-19 (reported) in those countries.

Edit: @Kiwi_Flyer beat me to it!

 

[jakeseven7]

Wonder if VA will just call it quits and suspend? Another bleeder for them to manage?

 

[Rangalad]

It'll probably be similar to Virgin's policy - even the expected reduction in flights?

Travel alerts | Virgin Australia

Border restrictions are changing and we are receiving higher than normal call volumes. We also advise guests check the latest Government advice prior to travel.

www.virginaustralia.com

Just appeared on the Qantas website:

 

[AIRwin]

Just appeared on the Qantas website:
View attachment 209729

Similar except 30 June for Virgin...

 

[jakeseven7]

So how long for Australia to copy this restriction? I honestly don’t think our government would have the guts

 

[cvmceg]

A small price to pay temporarily for NZ but with much potential upside. Australia should 100% follow suit but will likely follow their mate in the US and be too slow to do so.

As was mentioned up thread, both countries are fortunate in that they can easily control the borders for 2-3 weeks to reduce the rate of infection rapidly rising and inundating the Healthcare system. Hope that it simmers down overseas in the mean time.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Looking at the "Self Isolate" page I wonder how they'd treat a status run with a short turnaround? Fly in, transit (or isolate overnight at hotel) and fly out.

I'm wondering this as well... got a 14h transit. Planned to stay in a hotel and head straight back to the airport in the morning.