Government will require non-NZ citizens to have Covid vaccine before entering New Zealand – Stuff.co.nz

The Government will require all non-New Zealand citizens to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 before entering the country, from November 1.

Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins on Sunday afternoon announced the Government would place the requirement on any traveller to New Zealand who is aged over 17 years, and is not a New Zealand citizen.

Fully vaccinated travellers will still need to spend two weeks in a managed isolation facility upon entry to New Zealand. The requirement that most travellers obtain a negative Covid test 72 hours prior to departure will also remain.

Most people coming to New Zealand tell us they are already vaccinated. This requirement makes it formal and will provide an extra layer of protection at the border, Hipkins said in a statement.

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The Government says it willl require non-NZ citizens to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 to enter the country.

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Even a single case presents a risk. However, high and wide-spread vaccination rates will mean more freedoms, fewer restrictions, and the day-to-day confidence that protection from the virus brings.

Air New Zealand, early on Sunday, said it would be introducing a no jab, no fly policy for international travellers, that would come into effect on February 1, 2022.

The national air carriers policy would apply to travellers aged 18 or over, and will apply to both inbound and outbound flights.

Hipkins said the Government's new requirement will work well alongside the announcement today that everyone on board an Air New Zealand aircraft travelling internationally will need to be fully vaccinated.

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Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins.

He said people entering New Zealand will need to provide proof of vaccination or a relevant exemption to both the airline and Customs officers once they land in the country. They will also need to declare their vaccination status when they enter the managed isolation and quarantine system.

This requirement will be an interim measure while development continues on the traveller health declaration system, which will introduce the ability to digitally verify the vaccination status of people arriving into New Zealand, Hipkins said.

The Government would legislate to make the requirement law. If a person fails to provide proof of vaccination they may be fined $4000.

RSE workers headed to New Zealand in a quarantine-free travel scheme will be exempt from the requirement, as will refugees.

There would also be an ability for people to seek exemptions from the requirement on humanitarian grounds, or in cases where a person had no opportunity to get the vaccine.

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Government will require non-NZ citizens to have Covid vaccine before entering New Zealand - Stuff.co.nz