China Overseas Chinese Network, January 19, according to New Zealand Tianwei.com, on the morning of the 19th local time, the Minister of New Zealand Epidemic Response announced that the pre-departure testing regulations will apply to all passengers traveling to New Zealand.

　　According to the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Epidemic Response said that in order to further protect New Zealand from the impact of the epidemic, the New Zealand government will conduct pre-departure testing on all passengers traveling to New Zealand except Australia, Antarctica and most of the Pacific islands.

　　This new regulation will take effect for all flights arriving in New Zealand after 11:59 pm on January 25, New Zealand time.

　　At 12 noon on the 19th, the Minister of Epidemic Response held a press conference on the new pre-departure inspection regulations.

　　He said at the press conference that only one person has not complied with the entry inspection requirements for the UK and the US since January 15th.

　　"New Zealand is not the only country that has adopted this measure, so airlines are very supportive of this regulation. Airlines will only allow passengers to board the plane after confirming their test results," he said.

　　He said that the main purpose of expanding the pre-departure testing regulations is to reduce the number of infected people entering the country.

"Although these new measures will not prevent the virus from entering New Zealand, our aim is to reduce the number of infected people entering the country."

　　The new regulations announced on the 19th stated that passengers from Australia, Antarctica or most Pacific islands are exempt from pre-departure testing.

　　A reporter asked about this, why can Australia be exempted?

Will Australia undergo pre-departure testing?

　　The Minister of Epidemic Response replied that if there is another outbreak in Australia, they will carefully consider how to get New Zealanders in Australia home.

　　"If there is a virus outbreak in Australia, we will consider implementing pre-departure testing regulations."

　　He explained that “the current absence of pre-departure testing in Australia is because there are not many confirmed cases in the country, and they also need to be tested 0/1. There are currently no confirmed cases in isolation facilities from Australia or Pacific countries.”

　　In response to whether the 14-day quarantine period will be extended, the Minister of Epidemic Response stated that scientific evidence shows that the quarantine period of 14 days is sufficient and that 2-3 tests can be completed within 14 days. There is no evidence that the quarantine period needs to be extended.

　　"We try to let quarantined people smoke in rooms with balconies so they don't have to leave the room."

　　"As we said last week, given the high infection rates in many countries, most global routes will receive a lot of attention in the foreseeable future. New Zealand is currently in a good situation with no community transmission, but the government will continue to take very specific measures. Actions to further strengthen border management in response to the spread of overseas epidemics." He said.

　　He said that except for those passengers from Australia, Antarctica or most of the Pacific islands, the 0/1 day test has been extended to all passengers going to New Zealand, and all passengers need to complete 14 days of mandatory quarantine, including the 3rd and 12th days Days of routine testing.

　　"We will add more measures when necessary."

　　He said that the primary obligation of passengers is to comply with the regulations, but airlines should also play a key role in checking documents as much as possible at the beginning of the journey.

They recognized and praised the efforts made by airline personnel.

　　According to regulations, customs staff will check the passenger's arrival card and check all pre-departure inspection documents.

Except for passengers from exempt countries.

　　From February 8th, all passengers arriving in New Zealand, except passengers from exempt countries, will be fined no more than 1,000 New Zealand dollars if they do not have an approved negative test or medical certificate.

(Author: Sophia)