Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel
Novel coronavirus, China (Covid-19)
We have reviewed our travel advice for China, and now advise that New Zealanders do not travel to China due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and the associated health risks and travel restrictions. We advise New Zealanders currently in China to depart at the earliest opportunity.
A number of airlines have temporarily reduced or stopped flights to and from China. Contact your airline to confirm travel arrangements. You should also consult a travel agent or travel provider, as they have the most up to date information about flight availability.
Note that if the situation deteriorates further, the ability of the New Zealand Embassy and Consulates to provide assistance to New Zealand nationals within China may be limited.
China Travel Advisory – the full travel advisory for China.
Immigration New Zealand website (and fact sheet) – for latest information about border control.
Ministry of Health website – for guidance on prevention, signs and symptoms and treatment of the coronavirus with advice for travellers. If you are looking for advice about self-isolation requirements, you can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
BORDER CONTROLS
New Zealand
The New Zealand Government has made the decision that any foreign travellers who have left or transited through mainland China after 2 February 2020 will be refused entry to New Zealand. This is a temporary measure, effective from Monday 2 February, which will initially be in place for 14 days, and will be reviewed every 48 hours. At this stage we don’t know whether the restrictions will be extended beyond 16 Feb 2020.
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents returning to New Zealand will be exempt from the temporary restrictions, but will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their arrival back in the country.
Immediate family members who are not New Zealand citizens or residents must be travelling on the same flight as the family member who is a New Zealand citizen or resident. Immediate family includes partner/spouse, legal guardian and dependent child under the age of 24.
For more information please see the Immigration New Zealand website (and fact sheet). You can also call Immigration New Zealand on 0508 225 288 (within New Zealand) or +64 9 952 1679 (outside of New Zealand).
Other international responses
In light of the developing novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, a number of countries have announced they are closing their borders to foreign nationals travelling from, or transiting through, China. Restrictions may apply to New Zealanders seeking to transit through these countries to New Zealand.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not provide immigration advice for entry to other countries. Border officials of the country you are travelling to will make final decisions about factors which may impact your eligibility for entry. We recommend travellers consult the official website of the country they wish to enter, or that country’s diplomatic representative in their country of departure, before travelling.
The International Air Transport Association website has updated information on locations which have announced border restrictions for foreign nationals.
For updated information about New Zealand borders, please see the New Zealand Customs and Immigration New Zealand websites.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FOR THOSE IN CHINA BUT NOT IN HUBEI PROVINCE:
New Zealanders currently in China are advised to depart at the earliest opportunity. There are commercial flights to New Zealand still operating from other cities in China, as well as from other countries. We recommend checking in with your airline about your travel arrangements, as a number of airlines have suspended flights to and from China. New Zealanders in China are recommended to register on SafeTravel and update their family on their well-being.
INFORMATION ABOUT NOVEL CORONAVIRUS:
On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organisation was informed of cases of a novel coronavirus detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Common signs of infection include: respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death.
Please stay in your accommodation as much as possible and limit external contact with others, including avoiding large gatherings. Consider stocking up on food, water and other essential supplies.
Further health information is available on the websites of World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New Zealanders in China requiring consular assistance should contact their nearest New Zealand representation in China. See SafeTravel for full details.
Associated Advisories:
Reviewed:12 Feb 2020, 11:00
