Government puts dates on when arrivals from overseas can start entering NZ without going through managed isolation

The Government has detailed how restrictions around international travel will be loosened from mid-January. 

From January 17, vaccinated New Zealand citizens, residence-class visa holders and other travellers eligible under government settings who arrive in New Zealand from Australia won't need to go into managed isolation/quarantine (MIQ). Rather, they will be able to self-isolate for seven days. 

From February 14, the same rules will apply to New Zealand citizens, residence-class visa holders and other travellers eligible under government settings who arrive from other parts of the world.

From April 30, foreign nationals will be able to self-isolate on arrival in New Zealand. This reopening might be staged by visa category.

All travellers from countries deemed "Very-High Risk" will still need to stay in MIQ for a week and then self-isolate for three days. 

Indonesia, Fiji, India, Pakistan and Brazil will lose their "Very-High Risk" status in early-December. 

Arrivals into New Zealand will need to meet the requirements below to self-isolate. Those who don't meet the requirements will need to stay in MIQ for a week and then self-isolate for three days. 

• proof of being fully vaccinated
• a declaration about travel history
• a negative pre-departure test
• a day 0/1 test on arrival
• a final negative test before entering the community 

Minister for Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins said, “A phased approach to reconnecting with the world is the safest approach to ensure risk is carefully managed. This reduces any potential impacts on vulnerable communities and the New Zealand health system.

“Our dates for opening of borders logically follows the bedding in of the traffic light system, the lifting of the Auckland border, time for regions to get their vaccination rates higher still and for booster shots to be rolled out.

“Further details on how self-isolation will be implemented will be made available in December, and include guidance on how people can travel from their arrival airport to their location of self-isolation and requirements for the places where they can self-isolate."