Fijians travelling to New Zealand from Fiji will not have to test negative for COVID-19 before arriving in New Zealand.
In a statement, New Zealand COVID-19 response minister, Chris Hipkins, said Fiji was one of 18 mostly Pacific Island countries who were exempt from the requirement to produce evidence of a negative approved COVID-19 test before arrival in New Zealand.
He said to further protect New Zealand from COVID-19, its government was extending pre-departure testing to all passengers to New Zealand, except from Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Islands.
“The change will come into force for all flights arriving in New Zealand after 11.59pm (NZT) on Monday, January 25, to minimise disruption for those passengers with imminent departures.
Other countries will be considered for exclusion if their situations change,” Mr Hipkins said.
“As we signalled last week, given the high rates of infection in many countries, most global air routes are of critical concern for the foreseeable future.”
Fijians travelling to New Zealand will not have to submit for day one testing but will still have to complete 14 days mandatory isolation, including routine day three and day 12 tests.
