New Zealand’s response to Covid-19 [was Soft closing of NZ Border]
Mar 14, 2020, 7:48 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
The point is to avoid groups. So 1-3 people in a camper would be fine. In fact activities like hiking, etc and being in the outdoors are quite safe, so it makes sense.
If defined this way, then NZ tourism is open for business really... at least self-guided tourism.
I'm not sure if they would consider staying in a hotel/motel self-isolation or not. You wouldn't come into contact with anyone for more than 15 minutes, but it seems like the virus can stay on surfaces...
If defined this way, then NZ tourism is open for business really... at least self-guided tourism.
I'm not sure if they would consider staying in a hotel/motel self-isolation or not. You wouldn't come into contact with anyone for more than 15 minutes, but it seems like the virus can stay on surfaces...
Last edited by CPMaverick; Mar 14, 2020 at 8:02 pm
Mar 14, 2020, 9:22 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 4
It is not optional or voluntary. If someone turned up at my work who had been overseas and was meant to be in self quarantine they would be told to leave and I would be on the phone to Healthline to report them.
I would expect if you can't work from home, it would come out of your sick leave / annual leave or you're unpaid. Employers may choose to pay but that is at there discretion. However if you had been away for a work trip then I would hope the employer comes to the party.
I agree it would be better if they had actually stated what legislation there using, how they will check and the penalties. Nothing better than a possible fine, jail term and forced quarantine at a government run facility to ensure compliance.
The MoH briefing cleared a few things up this afternoon
Close contact is within 2m for 15mins (changed from 1m to match the global standard)
People who arrive will be checked, direct one to one contact, if they have symptoms the process will be different for people who don't.
People who show symptoms maybe taken to Middlemore Hospital / prevented from boarding onward domestic flights / other actions (was not super clear what)
People who do not have any symptoms will be allowed to continue there trip home, the including onward domestic flights. They will need to self quarantine once home, the MoH spokes person said they should avoid places with people such as cafe, schools and supermarkets but are allowed to go for walks / ride your bike (only if you don't have symptoms), etc.
They said caravans are ok for tourists however how that actually works with them getting clean water / food / avoiding other people etc I am not so sure. I think the government really expects most tourists not to come but didn't want to do an out right ban like US to avoid political fallout and retaliatory reactions.
Sounds like Hotels and Motels are also ok and a couple of people in self isolation already (who have Carona virus)
The MoH briefing is on the NZ hearld facebook page for anyone that wants to see it
I would expect if you can't work from home, it would come out of your sick leave / annual leave or you're unpaid. Employers may choose to pay but that is at there discretion. However if you had been away for a work trip then I would hope the employer comes to the party.
I agree it would be better if they had actually stated what legislation there using, how they will check and the penalties. Nothing better than a possible fine, jail term and forced quarantine at a government run facility to ensure compliance.
The MoH briefing cleared a few things up this afternoon
Close contact is within 2m for 15mins (changed from 1m to match the global standard)
People who arrive will be checked, direct one to one contact, if they have symptoms the process will be different for people who don't.
People who show symptoms maybe taken to Middlemore Hospital / prevented from boarding onward domestic flights / other actions (was not super clear what)
People who do not have any symptoms will be allowed to continue there trip home, the including onward domestic flights. They will need to self quarantine once home, the MoH spokes person said they should avoid places with people such as cafe, schools and supermarkets but are allowed to go for walks / ride your bike (only if you don't have symptoms), etc.
They said caravans are ok for tourists however how that actually works with them getting clean water / food / avoiding other people etc I am not so sure. I think the government really expects most tourists not to come but didn't want to do an out right ban like US to avoid political fallout and retaliatory reactions.
Sounds like Hotels and Motels are also ok and a couple of people in self isolation already (who have Carona virus)
The MoH briefing is on the NZ hearld facebook page for anyone that wants to see it
Mar 14, 2020, 9:37 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Honestly it sounds like a great time to go tour NZ. I don't mean take advantage of the situation either.... If you could get a camper, do Click and Collect with Pak'n Save for your groceries in one go, you could go off into the wilderness while being properly supportive of the government measures.
No nice restaurants, no tour boats, etc... but still lots in NZ to see.
I think the quarantine means domestic NZ flights are impossible, and the ferry is questionable... so you'd need to fly directly to whichever island you want to go to.
No nice restaurants, no tour boats, etc... but still lots in NZ to see.
I think the quarantine means domestic NZ flights are impossible, and the ferry is questionable... so you'd need to fly directly to whichever island you want to go to.
Last edited by CPMaverick; Mar 14, 2020 at 9:55 pm
Mar 15, 2020, 12:07 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,817
Honestly it sounds like a great time to go tour NZ. I don't mean take advantage of the situation either.... If you could get a camper, do Click and Collect with Pak'n Save for your groceries in one go, you could go off into the wilderness while being properly supportive of the government measures.
No nice restaurants, no tour boats, etc... but still lots in NZ to see.
I think the quarantine means domestic NZ flights are impossible, and the ferry is questionable... so you'd need to fly directly to whichever island you want to go to.
No nice restaurants, no tour boats, etc... but still lots in NZ to see.
I think the quarantine means domestic NZ flights are impossible, and the ferry is questionable... so you'd need to fly directly to whichever island you want to go to.
Mar 15, 2020, 6:29 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
Yep, Although now that Australia has a 14 day limit as well, it isn't so appealing to self isolate for two weeks after I'm back home. Although I guess I'm virtually doing that anyway.
Mar 18, 2020, 2:41 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 765
Are people who are confirmed as having the virus still allowed to just self-isolate at a hotel/motel? That seems a bit silly considering the very low caseload NZ currently has. Why not provide a more appropriate location for proper isolation even if they (like most that get infected) don't need medical care?
Mar 19, 2020, 11:45 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,320
Next step ?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/fortune...-tracking/amp/
Tracking device on all persons coming into the country ?
Tracking device on all persons coming into the country ?
Mar 19, 2020, 8:01 pm
#23
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
Trying to get some sort of clarity as to what the precise terms of the NZ border closure are.
Australian passport holder/resident wanting to return after short term trip to USA.
I have my trip booked for Monday LAX-AKL-SYD on combination of AA and QF (same ticket) with a 5 hour connection in AKL. Will not be crossing the NZ border but is transiting AKL permitted under the new policy? If so, a link to anything official would be appreciated in case AA give me any pushback at LAX
Australian passport holder/resident wanting to return after short term trip to USA.
I have my trip booked for Monday LAX-AKL-SYD on combination of AA and QF (same ticket) with a 5 hour connection in AKL. Will not be crossing the NZ border but is transiting AKL permitted under the new policy? If so, a link to anything official would be appreciated in case AA give me any pushback at LAX
Mar 19, 2020, 8:34 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,016
Trying to get some sort of clarity as to what the precise terms of the NZ border closure are.
Australian passport holder/resident wanting to return after short term trip to USA.
I have my trip booked for Monday LAX-AKL-SYD on combination of AA and QF (same ticket) with a 5 hour connection in AKL. Will not be crossing the NZ border but is transiting AKL permitted under the new policy? If so, a link to anything official would be appreciated in case AA give me any pushback at LAX
Australian passport holder/resident wanting to return after short term trip to USA.
I have my trip booked for Monday LAX-AKL-SYD on combination of AA and QF (same ticket) with a 5 hour connection in AKL. Will not be crossing the NZ border but is transiting AKL permitted under the new policy? If so, a link to anything official would be appreciated in case AA give me any pushback at LAX
<snip>
Australian citizens and permanent residents who normally live in New Zealand can also return to New Zealand. In addition, Australian citizens, residents and immediate family (partner or spouse, legal guardian and dependent children under the age of 24) are able to transit New Zealand to Australia.
<snip>
Australian citizens and permanent residents who normally live in New Zealand can also return to New Zealand. In addition, Australian citizens, residents and immediate family (partner or spouse, legal guardian and dependent children under the age of 24) are able to transit New Zealand to Australia.
<snip>
As an Au passport holder think you do not need NZeTA, but check for yourself
Thread---> NZeTA required from 1 October 2019 to visit or transit New Zealand
All the best for your 14 days self isolation on return.
Mar 19, 2020, 9:03 pm
#25
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
NZ Government web site----> https://www.immigration.govt.nz/abou...e-inz-response
Are you 100% sure AA is flying LAX-AKL on your date?
As an Au passport holder think you do not need NZeTA, but check for yourself
Thread---> NZeTA required from 1 October 2019 to visit or transit New Zealand
All the best for your 14 days self isolation on return.
Are you 100% sure AA is flying LAX-AKL on your date?
As an Au passport holder think you do not need NZeTA, but check for yourself
Thread---> NZeTA required from 1 October 2019 to visit or transit New Zealand
All the best for your 14 days self isolation on return.
Thanks for the link to the NZ Immigration website and for the eTA advice - checked and OK
I'm 100% sure that AA has a flight scheduled on my date of travel (Initially the LAX-AKL service was being terminated on the same day as the LAX-SYD service ie 16/3 outbound 18/3 inbound. But luckily for me AA decided later that they would continue the NZ service until the planned seasonal end of service ie 26/3 outbound 28/3 inbound I think. Even better I could apply an SWU for a Business Class upgrade
That does not mean that I am 100% sure that AA will fly on my date. I don't think anything is 100% certain these days.
And thanks for your good wishes for my period of isolation. I have 14 days booked in a Mantra in Brisbane so as not to put the family at risk. Fortuitously there is a 1000 bonus point offer from Accor for my first Mantra stay
And I will read up in preparation:
Women Hermits and Recluses in Medieval Europe and Italy
I'm sure we have moved on since the Middle Ages and in these equal opportunity times the information will be relevant to everyone in my position
Mar 20, 2020, 3:57 am
#26
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
Unsurprisingly, this extension of termination date of flights to/from NZ is substantially US driven it would seem.
My flight from LAX to AKL on 23/3 has a seat map with 3 seats occupied in Business, 0 seats in Premium and less than 15 in coach
with availability showing C7 J7 R7 D7 I7 U0 W7 P7 X0 Y7 B0 H7 K7 M7 L7 G7 V7 S7 N7 Q7 O7 E7 T0 -great flight if you have an SWU to use (or want to stretch out in economy)
The return flight to LAX on 25/3 shows 25 J , 13 Premium and close to two thirds of Coach occupied with the following availability:
C0 J0 R0 D0 I0 U0 W0 P0 X0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 G0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0 T0
My flight from LAX to AKL on 23/3 has a seat map with 3 seats occupied in Business, 0 seats in Premium and less than 15 in coach
with availability showing C7 J7 R7 D7 I7 U0 W7 P7 X0 Y7 B0 H7 K7 M7 L7 G7 V7 S7 N7 Q7 O7 E7 T0 -great flight if you have an SWU to use (or want to stretch out in economy)
The return flight to LAX on 25/3 shows 25 J , 13 Premium and close to two thirds of Coach occupied with the following availability:
C0 J0 R0 D0 I0 U0 W0 P0 X0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 G0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0 T0
Mar 21, 2020, 2:58 am
#27
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
EDIT, sorry I missed that this was already answered. Safe travels.
The immigration site has this to say and it is ~20 hours old. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/abou...e-inz-response
Things can change at any time.
Trying to get some sort of clarity as to what the precise terms of the NZ border closure are.
Australian passport holder/resident wanting to return after short term trip to USA.
I have my trip booked for Monday LAX-AKL-SYD on combination of AA and QF (same ticket) with a 5 hour connection in AKL. Will not be crossing the NZ border but is transiting AKL permitted under the new policy? If so, a link to anything official would be appreciated in case AA give me any pushback at LAX
Australian passport holder/resident wanting to return after short term trip to USA.
I have my trip booked for Monday LAX-AKL-SYD on combination of AA and QF (same ticket) with a 5 hour connection in AKL. Will not be crossing the NZ border but is transiting AKL permitted under the new policy? If so, a link to anything official would be appreciated in case AA give me any pushback at LAX
Things can change at any time.
Transiting
Australian citizens, residents and immediate family (partner or spouse, legal guardian and dependent children under the age of 24) are able to transit New Zealand to Australia. Transiting travellers must remain airside and cannot enter New Zealand
Australian citizens, residents and immediate family (partner or spouse, legal guardian and dependent children under the age of 24) are able to transit New Zealand to Australia. Transiting travellers must remain airside and cannot enter New Zealand
Mar 22, 2020, 7:50 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,016
New Zealand to go to full lockdown for 4 weeks in 48 hours
NZ Government link---> https://covid19.govt.nz/
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-z...w-zealand.html
Has a list
Surprisingly accommodation & meals for tourists is not listed. Will be many thousands in NZ with it looks like no legal place to stay/eat.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political...prime-minister
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hea...es-rise-to-102
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12319029
NZ Government link---> https://covid19.govt.nz/
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-z...w-zealand.html
Has a list
Surprisingly accommodation & meals for tourists is not listed. Will be many thousands in NZ with it looks like no legal place to stay/eat.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political...prime-minister
New Zealand's Covid-19 alert level has risen to three and the country will go into a full lockdown in 48 hours, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed.
After 48 hours, the time required to ensure essential services are in place, and the country will move to level four and will remain at that level for four weeks, Ardern said.
<snip>
After 48 hours, the time required to ensure essential services are in place, and the country will move to level four and will remain at that level for four weeks, Ardern said.
<snip>
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12319029
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Mar 23, 2020 at 12:46 am
Mar 23, 2020, 11:00 pm
#30
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
New Zealand to go to full lockdown for 4 weeks in 48 hours
NZ Government link---> https://covid19.govt.nz/
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-z...w-zealand.html
Has a list
Surprisingly accommodation & meals for tourists is not listed. Will be many thousands in NZ with it looks like no legal place to stay/eat.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political...prime-minister
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hea...es-rise-to-102
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12319029
NZ Government link---> https://covid19.govt.nz/
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-z...w-zealand.html
Has a list
Surprisingly accommodation & meals for tourists is not listed. Will be many thousands in NZ with it looks like no legal place to stay/eat.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political...prime-minister
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hea...es-rise-to-102
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12319029
https://covid19.govt.nz/government-a...ial-businesses
Accommodation is included for isolation / quarantine purposes. I understand this means as long as the hotel/motel manages distancing protocols they can remain open. I've seen some hotels mention room service will be available. Otherwise tourists in NZ will need to use supermarkets for food. (All restaurants / cafes/ takeaways are to close.)