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Summary
- Ever since the Ministry came up with its last update on 3 December, 6new COVID-19 cases have been reported in managed isolation in NZ.
- Travellers from the UK and the US would now require a negative test report for COVID-19 before they leave for NZ
- The NZ Government is planning to form a detailed plan to carry out the new requirement.
Ever since the Ministry came up with its last update on 3 December, six new COVID-19 cases have been reported in managed isolation in NZ.
In its latest update, the Ministry of Health said that 2 cases had arrived from the UK while 1 case each came from the US, Switzerland, South Africa and India.
New Zealand has 61 active cases and a confirmed total of 1830.
NZ also reported 6 cases last month, which were transmitted through the UK Variant of COVID-19. Among the 6 cases that came into NZ between 13 December-25 December, 5 came from the UK and 1 from South Africa. However, 4 of these cases have now recovered.
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The UK variant is perceived to be 70% more infectious than other variants of the virus. However, there are not enough evidence on the same, and the new strain did not pose an increased risk to the community, as per the Ministry.
UK and US travellers coming in NZ to be tested
All travellers from the UK or US would need to give a negative coronavirus test report before leaving for NZ, as per the NZ Government. The revised laws will take effect from 15 January onwards. Travellers from the UK and the US will also have to undergo quarantine for 14 days in New Zealand.
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COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins stated that expanding the provision to other longer flights to New Zealand was still under process. He also added that a minimal set of people would be exempted from the new requirement.
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As per Mr Hipkins, pre-departure checks are meant to provide an additional advantage of fostering extra-cautious behaviour, before people travel, and during flights and layovers, as it will help reduce the virus contact.
Landing in NZ through the air border without proof of a negative test would be an infringement offence, with regulation controlled through an amendment to the Air Border Order of NZ.
NZ Government is in the process of creating an elaborate plan with airlines to fulfil the new obligation.
