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Yesterday, in addition to announcing that roughly 10 new COVID-positive cases arrive at their border each day, New Zealand's Ministry of Health updated the number of COVID variant cases they've detected since mid-December.
A little over a week ago, that number stood at 6 (see New Zealand's MOH Reports Six B.1.1.7 Variant Virus Detections In December). As of yesterday, that number had more than tripled (n=20), including 1 detection of the 501Y.V2 variant which was first identified in South Africa.
Excerpts from yesterday's MOH press release Around 10 COVID-19 border cases a day over last three days follow:
COVID-19 variants
All positive COVID-19 tests in New Zealand are sent to ESR for whole genome sequencing as part of our overall elimination strategy.
Since 13 December, whole genome sequencing has identified a total of 19 cases of COVID-19 at the border with the UK variant known as 20B/501Y.V1 (lineage B1.1.7) and one case with the variant first identified in South Africa (501Y.V2)
Most of these people have come into New Zealand from the UK, via the UAE, Qatar or Singapore.
These people are all cared for with the same high level of infection prevention measures as all COVID-19 positive cases, with daily health checks and use of PPE. Infection prevention control protocols are in place for all staff and we can assure the public that there is no increased risk to the community.
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor overseas developments very closely through the holiday period.
The B.1.1.7 variant has already been detected in more than 40 countries (see Australia: Brisbane To Enter 3-Day Lockdown Over Detection Of COVID B.1.1.7 Variant Virus). Concerns over further international spread of this variant have led many countries to ban or restrict travel (see here, here and here).
Less well distributed globally is the 501Y.V2 variant which carries the E484K mutation, that has been has been tentatively linked to reduced antibody recognition, which in turn may decrease immune protection acquired from prior infection or vaccination.
While the full impact of these two variants - and others likely to follow - remains largely unquantified, both are believed to be substantially more transmissible than earlier variants, and have been blamed for huge increases in hospitalizations across Europe and in South Africa (see London Mayor Declares `Major Incident' As COVID Cases Rise).
With COVID - including these new variants - increasingly knocking on the door, New Zealand has decided to ratchet up their already strict border protections, in hopes of keeping these more transmissible strains at bay.
12 JANUARY 2021
Additional actions to keep COVID-19 out of NZ
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
COVID-19 Response
The Government is putting in place a suite of additional actions to protect New Zealand from COVID-19, including new emerging variants, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today.
“Given the high rates of infection in many countries and evidence of the global spread of more transmissible variants, it’s clear that most global air routes will be of critical concern for the foreseeable future, and we must respond strongly to the evolving situation,” said Chris Hipkins.
“New Zealand is currently in a very fortunate position with no community cases – let alone of new variant types – but we take nothing for granted.
“That’s why we continue to take action, with very specific steps to further strengthen our response at the air border.
“Today I am announcing that passengers from any destination excluding Australia, Antarctica and some Pacific Island nations will be required to undergo Day 0/1 testing upon arrival in New Zealand.
“This expands on measures already in place for passengers from the UK and US.
“It will be progressively introduced at Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facilities over three days, starting from Monday 18 January. Routine Day 3 and Day 12 tests will continue.
“I have also today signed further amendments to our Air Border Order which include:
- from 11.59pm on Friday 15 January, travellers arriving on all flights from the UK and US must have had a negative test result for COVID-19 in the 72 hours before their departure
- the Director-General of Health is now formally authorised to and will soon expand the pre-departure test requirement to all countries and territories excluding Australia, Antarctica and some Pacific Island nations.
“New Zealand already has some of the most stringent border protection measures in the world. Today’s amendments further strengthen that position in line with the Government’s overall elimination strategy,” Chris Hipkins said.
Information and support for overseas arrivals
“The Government recognises that these new requirements designed to protect New Zealand have added to the complexity for people wanting to get here.
“We thank them for their cooperation, as it’s what’s helping keep New Zealand safe while cases continue to accelerate overseas.
“We want to provide as much support and information as possible for these people ahead of their travels. Today, I am confirming that the amended Air Border Order I have signed includes the following:
- Children under two will be exempt from pre-departure testing
- Passengers transiting through the UK and US for not more than 96 hours before departing for New Zealand will be exempt for now from pre-departure testing
- RT-PCR tests, LAMP and viral antigen tests will all be accepted for pre-departure testing
- All tests must be processed at a laboratory
- A hard copy or electronic copy of the test result from an accredited laboratory will be acceptable documentation of a negative test
- Upon arrival in New Zealand travellers will be required to produce proof of your negative test result to a Customs officer during your passport processing. Either a hard copy or an electronic copy will be accepted
“Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities are working hard to accommodate travellers that might be affected by the new testing requirements,” Chris Hipkins said.
“Those travellers should work with airlines to rebook flights and contact MIQ for information about their booking.
“If New Zealanders overseas require consular assistance due to travel disruption, they should contact their nearest embassy or consulate.
“In addition to previously announced medical exemptions, and exemptions for very young children outlined above, people who can present a medical certificate as a past recovered case of COVID-19 will also be exempt, if they are considered no longer infectious,” Chris Hipkins said.
“We have also decided that in rare cases, the requirement of a test 72 hours in advance may be extended to 96 hours if a person’s flight has been delayed or cancelled, or test results haven’t been received in time. In this situation, the flight must be rescheduled or rebooked to depart within 24 hours.
“It’s really important to remember that all travellers, including anyone exempted from the pre-departure testing requirement, will still be required to complete the 14 days mandatory isolation which applies to all new arrivals into New Zealand.
“We’ll continue to communicate details around the new requirements via covid19.govt.nz and Unite Against COVID-19 social media, website, the SafeTravel website, and directly to airlines.
“We’ll also continue our extensive consultation with airlines around implementation. Under the Order, the primary obligation is on passengers to comply, but airlines are also expected to play a key role in checking documentation where practicable. We recognise and appreciate the efforts of their staff,” Chris Hipkins said.
From 29 January, arriving in New Zealand without evidence of a negative approved test or medical certificate would incur an infringement offence fee or a fine not exceeding $1,000.
