Everyone entering New Zealand from midnight Sunday will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, according to new government directives made in response to Covid-19.
This includes citizens and foreigners, but excludes people travelling from the Pacific.
The restrictions will be in place for 16 days.
Cruise ships won’t be able to enter New Zealand until June 30, when this directive will be reviewed.
Movement of cargo ships and planes won’t be restricted.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this is about restricting the movement of people, not products.
She said the measures will see New Zealand have some of the “widest-raging and toughest border restrictions of any country in the world”.
The existing travel ban has been retained for China and Iran.
There will be new health measures at the border for people departing to the Pacific.
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A range of measures to assist those in self-isolation will be announced next week, as will directives on mass gatherings and a targeted Business Continuity Package.
Ardern said government will work closely with the aviation sector to encourage airlines to remain active in New Zealand, limit impacts on the tourism sector and exporters.
New Zealand’s sixth case of Covid-19 was announced on Saturday. The person infected is an Auckland man in his sixties, who recently travelled to the US.
The man has been unwell and is now recovering at home - hospital treatment has not been required.
Here is a statement from the Prime Minister:
The full Cabinet met this afternoon to make a range of significant decisions to further protect the health of New Zealanders and reduce the threat of transmission of COVID-19 in New Zealand.
First I want to provide some context to our decisions.
New Zealand has to date, relative to other counties, a small number of cases. We have successfully managed to contact trace for every one of those cases, and are in the process of doing so for our latest one. This has been a critical part of our response.
Secondly, our smaller number of cases has helped us to manage them in the right place, and with the right support. The majority of our cases have not required our hospital system to care for them.
The key continues to be leaving our hospital system for those who need it most.
All of this points to one strategy which has guided our decision making - spread the cases, and flatten the curve.
It is not realistic for New Zealand to have only a handful of cases.
The international evidence proves that is not realistic, and so we must plan and prepare for more cases.
But, the scale of how many cases we get and how fast we get them is something we should do as much as we can to slow. That is how we ensure health services are there for those who need them most.
That’s why we must go hard, and go early, and do everything we can to protect New Zealanders health.
That is exactly why, to tackle this global pandemic, Cabinet made far reaching and unprecedented decisions today.
As of midnight Sunday every person entering New Zealand, including returning New Zealand citizens and residents, will be required to enter self-isolation for 14 days. Everybody.
The Pacific are exempted from this measure, though anyone from these countries will be required to automatically self–isolate should they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival in New Zealand.
These restrictions will all be reviewed in 16 days’ time.
Alongside Israel, and a small number of Pacific Islands who have effectively closed their border, this decision will mean New Zealand will have the widest ranging and toughest border restrictions of any country in the world.
We are also encouraging New Zealanders to avoid all non-essential travel overseas. This help reduces the risk of a New Zealand bringing COVID-19 back with them.
We accept that for New Zealanders currently overseas this is a stressful time and we encourage any New Zealander needing consular assistance to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In addition to restrictions on air travel we are also taking firm measures on cruise ships. As of midnight tonight we are issuing a directive to all cruise ships not to come to New Zealand until at least 30 June 2020, at which time the directive will be reviewed.
I want to be very clear - these measures are about people, not products. They do not apply to cargo ships or cargo planes or to marine or air crew, and we will be working to ensure we keep sea and air freight routes open for imports and exports.
In short, no one needs to conduct a run on their supermarket. It’s worth remembering that we’ve had travel restrictions on China for over a month, and those supply routes continue.
We are mindful that some items that come into New Zealand travel via passenger flights. That’s why support, where needed, will be provided to ensure that essential air freight like pharmaceuticals continue to be shipped into New Zealand.
We did not take these decisions lightly. We know these travel restrictions will place significant strain on the aviation industry, and we anticipate some routes will reduce or cease for a period of time.
As such the Government will work closely with the aviation sector to encourage and support airlines to remain active in New Zealand so that we can re-bound from the restrictions quickly and not have significant impacts on our tourism sector, exporters, and economy.
In addition to these measures the Finance Minister will also announce an economic response including the business continuity package on Tuesday.
We are also stepping up our actions at the border as a key departure route to the Pacific. New Zealand has a huge sense of responsibility to support our Pacific neighbours.
As such strict new border exit measures for people travelling to the Pacific will be put in place and include:
- No travel for people who have travelled outside of New Zealand in the past 14 days,
- No travel for close or casual contacts of a confirmed case.
- No travel for anyone who is symptomatic
- Health assessment including temperature check
Taken as a whole, the border measures we are taking today will mean significantly more people will enter self-isolation, and supporting and facilitating that to occur is critical.
We are already registering all travellers into New Zealand, and Healthline is monitoring the self-isolation process.
Today we instructed officials to step up enforcement of self isolation through measures such as spot checks. It is worth mentioning though, to date more than 10,500 people are or have successfully self-isolated in New Zealand. People know that it’s in the best interest of their community and they’re pulling together to look after one another.
After all, the combination of restricting the virus coming here and isolating it when it does are two of the most important steps we can take to avoid community outbreak.
Given self-isolation is so important, we want to make it as easy as possible.
As such the Government will be introducing a range of measures to assist with self-isolation.
Expect more on this early next week.
We will also increase community support to those unable to support themselves in isolation.
In addition to these measures the Finance Minister will also announce a business continuity package next week, the Health Minister will announce a suite of additional health measures to scale up the responsiveness of our health system to the virus and a public information campaign will be launched.
Ultimately though, the best protection for the economy is containing the virus. A widespread outbreak will hurt our economy far more in the long run than short term measures to prevent a mass outbreak occurring.
These measures, while disruptive, are needed to make the space we need as a nation to prepare and manage the spread of COVID-19.
We all have obligations to limit the spread of the virus and basic health measures is are the heart of that.
However in order to limit the risk of community outbreak when people are in close proximity to each other we will also be announcing further guidelines on mass gatherings. For now, Pasifika and the 15 March Memorial have been cancelled.
The guidance we will be developing more broadly on mass gatherings will be based on the following criteria:
- Large numbers of people in close proximity
- Events where people are more likely to be in physical contact
- Events where participants have travelled from overseas
- And non-ticketed events, where for instance there is no seat allocation making it difficult to contact trace
Again, advice and criteria on mass gatherings will be released next week. For those who need more immediate advice, they should contact their public health unit.
In conclusion, we have two choices as a nation. One is to let COVID-19 roll on, and brace.
The second is to go hard on measures to keep it out, and stamp it out - not because we can stop a global pandemic from reaching us, but because it is in our power to slow it down.
I make no apology for choosing the second path. New Zealanders public health comes first. If we have that, we can recover from the impacts on the economy, the impacts on tourism, and the impacts on our airline.
Finally, this is an unprecedented time. While we don’t have community transmission here, now is the time to prepare. And we can all play a role in that. So here’s my request to New Zealanders:
- Wash your hands
- If you don’t need to travel overseas, then don’t. Enjoy your own back yard for a time.
- Wash your hands
- If you’re sick, stay home.
- If you sneeze, do it into your elbow
- Wash your hands.
- Stop handshakes, hugs, and hongi - I know this is counter to who we are as a nation, but the best thing we can do right now to show love and affection to one another, is to switch to the east coast wave.
- Please be mindful of the older citizens in your life. Check in on them, but if you’re sick, keep your distance
Finally, we are a tough resilient people. We have been here before. But our journey will depend on how we work together. We are taking every measure we need as a government, and we ask that you do to.
We all have a role to play. Look out for your neighbour, look out for your family. Look out for your friends.
371 Comments
I've felt that this was going to be far bigger than most realised since mid January but things are really spinning out of control now. I'm starting to feel like the chances of the economic fallout being contained is approaching zero at this stage (even if the virus itself can be). This is increasingly feeling like a once in a century crisis.
"In 2009 New Zealand had 3,175 cases and 19 deaths due to swine influenza."
H1N1 swine flu was also a pandemic that included NZ but didnt get the crazy response this one is. H1N1 is now present in the community and added to annual flu vaccine. So are we going to have to repeat all these isolation measures every ten years or so when there is another outbreak of a new virulent virus. It could possibly be every year if the viruses mutate faster and stronger, geez
2009 flu pandemic in New Zealand - Wikipedia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_flu_pandemic_in_New_Zealand
Having considered this for 12 hours now, and having read all the comments I have come to the conclusion Jacindas shutdown is a claytons shutdown.
Still a free for all in essence. No announcement on checking people self isolate.
Whether you believe in the shutdown or not, it is being left to individual responsiblity. I dont believe that will work. Many individuals are not responsible.
How do you self isolate? First go to the supermarket and get a lot of food. Ahem
If you are a tourist. Book a hotel for 14 days. Tell housekeeping to stay out? Food? Order in?
I dont see how this succeeds successfully without significant imput from an army of people helping deliver food. And providing drivers from the airport. Or do our taxi drivers live with the risk and then inevitably become spreaders themselves.
I dont see the government detailing the detail on the practicalities of this. How does this work Jacinda et al?
This is a sop to the likes of myself who asked for stricter containment. Its half assed. Which will only slow the virus not stop it. But lets call it what it is. Lets not pretend this is anything more.
Lets just hope we can staff the kiwifruit/apple pick. The meat processing chains. The Fonterra factories. The fields of veg.
Agreed. I wonder how long before people say this is OTT when lots of people start losing jobs or not being employed in first place. Support local business.
Coronavirus: NZ travel restrictions hit tourism, airline and returning Kiwis hard
https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12316707
Yep, cut gst on food for start. Thousands will lose jobs in next two months, a handout like in Oz of 750 won't cut it if you have just lost FT job. Implications will be huge, reduced tax intake, less government spending on infrastructure as it need to go to welfare..etc etc
New Zealand need to close the borders not leave them open to rich and selfish people who will come here to our so called bolthole and maybe self isolate for 2 weeks or bring virus and overload our hospitals.
As predicted Spain Germany and France are about to start lockdowns along with many other countries.
Australia this week will see a large surge and may also start lockdowns of capital cities.
We are no different close the borders now.
But logistics isn't being 'self isolated' how do you know an infected operator hasn't sneezed and coughed into a shipping container overseas before swinging the door shut and putting on the next container vessel here? I used to devan when I was a student and we found plenty of live things, won't be hard for a container full of corvid to come in....
It depends how stable it is on surfaces. Most coronaviruses don't survive for too long out of a host unless environmental conditions are very favorable. Given the speed of shipping I doubt the viral load will be sufficient to pose a threat. There's research going on currently looking at this issue.
The real risk is people spreading this via aerosol droplets just from respiration. That's where the bulk of the infection is going to originate from. Distancing people in general is the most effective method to reduce this form of transmission.
So:
Do the market open tomorrow or do they just gap down 20% and fight it out from there?
Last night we received call after call from friends asking"Should I get out of my high-risk. Kiwisaver and put it into something safer?" The answer to all was "It's too late". Good luck, all....
Yesterday I talked to a car dealer about a car in Wellington that has lost $45,000 even though it has done only done 7000 kilometres. It is a 2019 car. The first owner traded it in for the revamped 2020 version that has adjustments to to the interior and exterior only. Now we are going to go into a serious recession I am thinking I am better to hold off as car dealers are going to really struggle and 2020 versions will have to come down heavily making what looks like a bargain now a bad buy. Your thoughts.
Many car dealers are toast anyway. How many friends, or even you, are 'holding off' until EV's are the way to go? I am - and I'm not an EV nut. But what we have will get us through until EV's are viable, then we'll upgrade. So 202 models? Likely to be on the yard for a while....
Not for me. Apparently you get trapped by software updates that you have to 'buy' and if you don't get them, the cars are less than optimal ( think iPhone upgrades that make the last model obsolete). They also, apparently, have car specific tyres. So...no not for me at this stage.
But I love cars HW. Since I was a wee chappie. They are a passion. I only have one at a time but they are nice cars. Something I use every day. We all have different passions and we should all respect that. I have no other toys such as boats, Bach or motor bikes. How much money do I have to leave my kids. I have already given them and their partners extensive gifts. Travel is stuffed for some time. Life is for living. Driving a Corolla does not bring a smile to my face and I have tried to do that. I could own and drive a supercar but I am too old (64) and I am very self conscious. I don’t drive a certain car to impress, I just love a nice car.
You can do that if you want. But if your kids are already comfortable there is no point leaving them anymore. To me there are heaps of worthy and reliable organizations that can multiply the effects of even small donations and give others a hand-up in life. And that is a legacy for you. That's what I am hoping to do and I have always told my kids that so they dont get ideas about getting rich by windfall. Btw my vehicle is a 2019 tradie vehicle and with its modcons and smooth ride I adore it.
They are not cheap HW. My wife and I are significant donors to charities , nephews and nieces and even friends children who have not had a privileged upbringing. I am lucky I married a woman with a very generous heart. I still love cars though. If you do not have a passion or two I would think life would be boring.
I know what you mean. I saw an 'old coot' in town in his brand new ( by the plates, but who knows these days!) baby blue Lamborghini Huracan the other week. It just looked odd - but he's probably happy as that's what he'd wanted all his life. Like you though, those days are behind me. ( I had a 308 GTS back when Magnum was all the rage - didn't last long - very uncomfortable ride and had a problem with the synchro from 1st to 2nd. A common issue that I wasn't aware of. Was going to swap it for a Giocattolo, but thankfully I saw sense!). Blending in with a dark grey car suits us fine there days.
With a recession looming and a number of people not earning their usual salary, I'm concerned about the resulting non performing residential mortgages ending up in mortgagee sales with commensurate effect on the banks who I understand in the past have held houses so they can drip feed houses onto the market.. Potentially for some banks an OBR event or maybe the deposit scheme is in action by the end of the year which could help 90% but not those in the 10% bracket who have much more than $50k even if spread amongst a few banks. I hope reserve bank stress testing criteria is sufficient to cover an event like this.
Looks like those who can are heading out of town, any town, for their holiday homes to avoid the virus. That will surely expedite the spread? Staying put is a much better containment policy, but it's not happening at the individual level.
And where are those that can travel headed? Queenstown! More private jets landing there than is normal. So the question is: " How long until Queenstown is overrun my Covid19?" As I wrote last week, the last place on the planet you would want to be is - Queenstown.
Critical care ICU rate in Italy for #COVID19 556/3420 16%! In China it was just 5%. We are now realizing the virus could be even worse than expected. Very concerning with these Italy data published in JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763188
This could be differences in the way they test, or China lied about true death rate.
Here is good contrast.
Detail as to what Singapore has been and is doing.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-11/a-singaporeans-vi…
To contain the disease known as COVID-19, Singapore has mobilized a system of state control that is one of the most efficient in the world.
Authorities have aggressively isolated infections, tracked down and questioned their contacts, levied tough penalties for breaking quarantine or furnishing false information, and used friendly news outlets and social media to urge the public to remain vigilant while avoiding panic.
South Korea has become home to the world’s largest coronavirus outbreak outside China. As a result, the government in Seoul has taken what it calls “maximum” action to contain the spread of the disease—including sending thousands of people into mandatory home quarantine.
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615329/coronavirus-south-korea-smart…
Lockdown? Semantics...
I don't think the virus cares about interest rates.
Also I don't think they matter. What does lowering the interest rate do? allow business to borrow more? the reason they are struggling is that no one is buying what they are selling. Not because of the interest rates.
We did not "go hard, and go early,".
Regarding "go early": If someone like me, who has only half been paying attention, could clearly see on Saturday that drastic measures needed to be taken then it should have been obvious a couple of days earlier to those whose job it is to protect us.
Regarding "go hard": I don't regard self-isolation as going particularly hard. There are going to be idiots who think they're special and break isolation. The obvious way to go hard was to drastically reduce the number of people entering the country, i.e. close the borders to all non-Kiwis. Going really hard would put returning Kiwis in quarantine.
NZ was incredibly lucky to only have a few instances of the virus. We were given a somewhat unique opportunity to remain virtually virus free for a few months while the rest of the world deals with it. That would be a huge advantage for numerous reasons. Our response is putting that advantage at risk. Time will tell if our luck holds.
Not looking good for Australia if this is the case ( via the Australian Financial Review):
Australia’s economy will collapse in Q2.
... we are looking at Q2 GDP in the range of -20 per cent to -30 per cent on a quarter on quarter annualised basis, with risks skewed to the downside.
This assumes some pull forward in demand into end Q1 as stocking commences in earnest, followed by a sustained 25 per cent to 50 per cent reduction in various categories of personal spending, particularly, recreation and culture, and hotels, cafes and restaurants.
The upside risk of further fiscal stimulus is more than offset by the downside risks posed by passthrough to other sectors of the economy, including externally.
For context, Australia’s time series for GDP dates to 1959. In that period we have not seen a fall of more than 3 per cent on a quarter-on-quarter annualised basis.
This is not about stopping it, this is is about slowing it, without which healthcare in NZ will be overun when the outbreak starts here. Any thought of stopping it getting everywhere are futile. Private jets still arriving. Self isolation is only a reality for those that can afford it.
The really big thing is whether Europe or the US can slow it with a lock down like China on their population. I think not, and if they cant, will the fabric of society start to fail. If yes the hold onto your hat.
If your sick or so cool you travel regardless, employers have to suffer the financial ineffectiveness and costs of staff working from home. Leadership looks like making extra sick leave tax deductable. SMB employers and low margins large employer are going to be stuffed (cleaning, rubbish collection, sex workers, checkout operators, chorus techs, etc etc).
What happens when people start dying in rental housing....the rent stops and it gets tricky to evict them. You can bag and dump them like their furniture. Banks wont care about your cashflow problem though.
Given the urgency shown when a problem is likely to directly affect older generations, this demonstrates that climate change needs to be articulated in a way that old folk can't simply assume the consequences will only affect younger generations so they've no need to care.
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