New Zealand's Government announced (02-Oct-2020) it is "tightening the requirements around international aircrew", with a 'COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border, Isolation and Quarantine and Required Testing) Amendment Order 2020' coming into effect from 23:59 on 04-Oct-2020. Key details include:
- Overseas based air crew who are laying over in New Zealand will be required to stay in a Government managed isolation facility for as long as they are in the country, to ensure they avoid contact with New Zealanders;
- All overseas based air crew will be required to wear appropriate PPE while in New Zealand airports and whenever travelling between the airport and their hotel;
- All New Zealand based air crew will be required to use PPE on all flights and to isolate with other crew members while on overseas layovers;
- New Zealand based crew returning to New Zealand from high risk locations overseas will be required to self isolate for at least 48 hours after they return, and until they are assessed as being low risk of having coronavirus, including receiving a negative test.
From 19-Oct-2020, weekly surveillance testing for some lower-risk New Zealand-based international air crew will start. New Zealand's Health Minister Chris Hipkins stated: "Cabin crew on domestic flights transferring passengers to managed isolation facilities will be tested as part of the existing border staff testing regime due to close proximity to international travellers. Airlines have been given two weeks to get their processes in place". [more - original PR]