Anyone who was in Melbourne during the infectious period of the original cases in the most recent Covid-19 outbreak, but who then flew to another state, can now not fly on to New Zealand without taking a pre-departure test, the government has announced today.
Photo: Dom Thomas
The government is introducing pre-departure testing for anyone who visited Victoria between 20-25 May. Anyone who has been to the state since 25 May cannot fly to New Zealand at all.
The new pre-departure testing requirements will come into force for all flights arriving in New Zealand after 11.59pm on 31 May, to minimise disruption for those passengers with imminent departures.
Speaking to media this afternoon, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said there will be flexibility over the next 48-72 hours because not all travelling to New Zealand will have been able to meet the new pre-departure testing requirement.
Hipkins said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is coming on a special flight and all on board are getting pre-departure testing. The new travel settings should not affect his upcoming trip to New Zealand, Hipkins says.
Hipkins said extra checks are in place at points of departure and arrival so any travellers who fall into this category, regardless of where in Australia they are flying to New Zealand from, must keep evidence of a negative pre-departure test on them at all times.
"Failure to produce evidence could result in people being denied boarding, or penalties on arrival in New Zealand. The only exception is for children under two years old.
"This step is being taken to ensure those people who have been in Melbourne during the infectious period of the original detected Covid-19 cases, but who have since flown to another state, can't fly on to New Zealand without first confirming they don't have Covid-19."
Hipkins said this was a "prudent step".
"The health and safety of New Zealanders is at the centre of our decision-making. Case numbers have risen in Victoria again today, and there are growing numbers of locations of interest.
"While we don't see these travellers who have left Victoria prior to 25 May as a major risk to New Zealand, we want to ensure the risk is reduced as much as possible. A negative pre-departure test can give us a higher degree of confidence that a person will not be infectious upon arrival in New Zealand."
Hipkins yesterday revealed the quarantine-free travel bubble suspension with Victoria would be extended to next Friday.
The state, now in lockdown, is grappling with an outbreak of community cases and 5000 recent arrivals from there have been told by the Ministry of Health to self-isolate and get tested.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was scheduled to arrive in the country on Sunday, 30 May.
More to come.