Click, pay, pack the bag and travel – is it still that easy?

Remember how simple flying to anywhere in the world was before we heard of COVID-19? Those days are over for the foreseeable future.

Travellers to New Zealand must complete 14 days in managed isolation at a government hotel on arrival. Before checking in for a flight, travellers need to book a place in managed isolation and present the confirmation voucher to the airline check in desk along with a negative COVID-19 test result (that is not older than 72 hours before scheduled departure time). Phew!

There are very few exemptions to managed isolation and even less allowing self-isolation at home. Only travellers from Australia, Antarctica, and most Pacific Islands are exempt from the pre-departure COVID-19 test.

The roll out of the Covid vaccine has started in New Zealand with border workers first to receive it. Next will be essential health workers and the most vulnerable in our community (elderly, those with underlying health conditions etc). The roll out to the general population is expected in the second half of 2021.

Questions remain whether the vaccine roll out will lead to the border reopening and if New Zealand will adopt a vaccine passport.

Read more at www.miq.govt.nz