Mandatory hurdle gone
You no longer need a predeparture test to travel to NZ. But should you get one anyway, asks Thomas Bywater
As of midnight last night, predeparture Covid tests are no longer required to get into the country. A negative Covid-19 test result will no longer be part of the Travel Declaration needed to board a plane to New Zealand — in its place is a more “good faith” approach to the health of travellers.
Hot off the heels of the United States, which dropped the requirement on Sunday, New Zealand was one of the last countries to ease this restriction.
The test was a sore point for many travellers. Having to budget for extra hotel nights in the event of a positive test has kept travel suppressed, argued tourism businesses.
There were even horror stories of missed flights due to botched test readings.
With 78 cases in the community for every one case detected at the border, Covid-19 Minister Ayesha Verrall deemed the hassle caused to travellers was “no longer outweighed by the public health benefits”.
Most will be glad to see the end of them, but, without definitive proof, how many travellers will be tempted to fly with symptoms — or even full-blown cases of Covid?
Whether there will be any measures to replace them or to stop sick passengers boarding planes is still under consideration.
In most cases, the airlines and other travel providers advise travellers to delay travel, rather than risk flying when sick.
“If you’re feeling unwell and experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, you should defer your travel plans,” is the official advice for passengers of Air New Zealand.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson says a revision of health-specific questions in the Declaration “is under active consideration by the Ministry”.
“If people are feeling unwell before they travel, they should get tested. If they have Covid-19, they should not travel,” they said.
However, testing is now optional and will not have to be done at a supervised clinic.
It is still mandatory on arrival, with passengers required to self-report cases.
Those arriving in New Zealand are also given a pack of RATS to take on days one and five. However, according to numbers seen by the Herald only 90 per cent of people are completing these tests, with 2 to 3 per cent self-reporting a positive result.
“Cases at the border” account only for those testing positive after arrival and do not include those refused travel.
Without any tests, imported cases are expected to increase.
One clinic offering supervised pre-departure testing told the Herald they were seeing positive rates of around 4 per cent.
“As soon as the pre-departure testing is lifted, we can expect that 4 per cent of [infected] travellers will make their way on to the flights and into the community,” said a spokesperson for the clinic, which declined to be named.
As for now, the advice continues to be: delay travel if sick and get a test, although travellers will be able to self-test.
Your pre-departure Questions:
Do I still need to book a test?
Travellers whose first international flight to New Zealand departed after 11:59pm (NZ time) on Monday, June 20, no longer have to do a predeparture Covid-19 test.
Some travellers on long itineraries should check if they need to book a supervised test.
I’ve already booked my test, can I get a refund?
Some clinics are allowing travellers to cancel these appointments and giving refunds. You will have to check with your provider.
Histopath, one of the larger providers at Australian airports, says “you may cancel your order at any time prior to the departure time specified on your order”.
Travellers will be given refunds within seven working days.
Should I still take a test?
Many travellers are still choosing to test before departure on holiday, even when their destination no longer requires pre-departure tests.
With some countries still requiring Covid-19 tests on arrival, and enforced isolation, a predeparture test may save you a wasted trip.
If you’re experiencing symptoms prior to travel, the Ministry of Health advises travellers to take a test.