Chinanews.com, December 22. According to New Zealand Chinese Pioneer Network, citing new media reports, on December 21 local time, the New Zealand Ministry of Health announced that some "low-risk individuals" can be exempted from two weeks of controlled isolation after arriving in New Zealand.
It is understood that in a routine notification on December 21, the New Zealand Ministry of Health revealed a series of new regulations on air and maritime border control, which will take effect this week.
Several of these changes will take effect immediately. Some people can be exempted from controlled isolation after they arrive.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health stated that in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, changes to air borders, isolation and quarantine orders include a small number of people who can be excluded from controlled isolation facilities if the health risk is determined to be low.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said that this "new exemption order" applies to a small number of people who are "considered low risk": police escorted extradited or repatriated people, and people arriving from Antarctica, but a risk assessment is required.
In some cases, emergency workers entering New Zealand can also be exempted from isolation.
However, after returning to New Zealand, these arrivals still need to self-quarantine for at least 48 hours and undergo a nucleic acid test, and self-quarantine until the nucleic acid test result is determined to be negative.
In addition, other new regulations will take effect this week.
Including those in high-risk environments such as ports and ships, the use of personal protective equipment will be mandatory.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health stated that they are constantly adjusting border policies to adapt to new information and operational experience.
"We need to strike a balance between maintaining health needs, reducing the impact on the economy, and operating efficiency. We also understand that this also affects workers and tourists."
It is understood that anyone returning to New Zealand can apply for exemption from compulsory quarantine, but the application can only be approved in rare cases.
According to information on the website, most applications for exemption include accompanying minors, transit personnel, or people who medically require hospital-level care.
Under normal circumstances, people still need to complete at least 14 days of quarantine after arrival.
Prior to this, the exempted quarantine personnel included diplomatic and consular officials, those who were important to the epidemic response designated by the Director-General of Health, and maritime personnel and crew members under certain conditions.