New Zealand, Brunei and Fiji ease Covid travel restrictions
New Zealand has ended its Covid testing and vaccination requirements for all international travellers, regardless of vaccination status, while Brunei and Fiji have also announced changes
The measure came to an end with the phasing out of the country’s ‘traffic light’ Covid Protection Framework on Monday 12 September, and comes after a months-long process of easing.
The country, which maintained some of the world’s strongest Covid-related border restrictions, fully reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travellers on 1 August.
While travellers will no longer be required to submit test results or vaccine certification upon arrival, they will still be encouraged to perform day one and day five/six tests and must still complete a traveller declaration before travelling. People who test positive for Covid will still be required to isolate for seven days.
Masks are also now no longer required to be worn anywhere, except when visiting healthcare facilities such as hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies, and aged care residential facilities, however they may still be requested by some businesses.
Fiji simplifies rules for vaccinated travellers
The island nation of Fiji has also eased its entry rules for vaccinated international travellers.
Now, travellers aged 16 years and over who have received a full course of vaccination (two jabs) no longer need to pre-book or take a Covid-19 test upon arrival in the country. However, unvaccinated travellers are still not permitted to visit, including Fijian citizens.
The Fiji Travel website explained: “We’ve simplified out entry requirements further to make it even easier to plan a holiday here. Simply show evidence of the following at check-in before your departure flight: proof of full vaccination for all travellers aged 16 years and over, and travel insurance.”
Brunei to remove testing and vaccination requirements from tomorrow
Brunei will also remove its testing and vaccination requirements for incoming foreign travellers from 15 September, alongside the end of facemask mandates for most indoor and outdoor settings.
Inbound travellers will also no longer be required to fill in an on-arrival health declaration form, while outbound citizens and permanent residents will no longer need to be fully vaccinated ahead of travel.
However, insurance requirements for both inbound and outbound travellers remain in effect. Visitors to Brunei who are staying for less than 90 days must have Covid-19 treatment insurance coverage worth at least B$20,000 (US$14,069), although exemptions are allowed for foreign nationals entering the country for long-term purposes such as employment, as well as returning Brunei permanent residents.
Covid-19 treatment insurance worth B$20,000 also remains mandatory for outbound Bruneian citizens and residents on short visits.
Masks will no longer be mandatory for most indoor and outdoor settings from 15 September – but will still remain compulsory in healthcare facilities, at events where organisers require attendees to wear them, and for symptomatic individuals.