You might want to reconsider your upcoming trans-Tasman trip because all passengers arriving in New Zealand will now be forced to self-isolate for 14 days under the country’s strict new coronavirus quarantine regulations.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement on Saturday afternoon following an emergency cabinet meeting.
“We do not take these decisions lightly,” she said in a press conference.”New Zealand will have the widest-ranging and toughest border restrictions of anyone in the world.”
The new regulations apply to all people, with the exemption of those arriving from the Pacific, where the coronavirus outbreak has had minimal impact.
Imported goods will not be impacted by the new quarantine regulations.
The mandatory self-isolation comes into effect at midnight on Sunday (local time) in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.
As it currently stands, New Zealand has just six confirmed coronavirus cases to date, none of which have been spread within the community.
More to come.
Image: Getty Images / Dave Rowland
