Quarantine Free Travel Health Operations Framework Version 1.0 – current as at 21 April 2021 Note: This document is updated regularly. Printed copies may be out of date.
1 Document management and control Revision History Version Date Section/Appendix Summary of changes Comments/review process to date Background and review Revisions by MoH process to date
Authors COVID-19 Border Operations COVID-19 Border Testing Taskforce
2 Groups who have contributed to development and review Auckland DHB Canterbury DHB Health Legal Public Health
Document approval Deputy Chief Executive, COVID-19 Health Sue Gordon System Response Signature
Date
3 Table of Contents Quarantine Free Travel ...... 1 Health Operations Framework ...... 1 Note: This document is updated regularly. Printed copies may be out of date...... 1 Introduction ...... 5 Purpose ...... 5 Glossary ...... 5 Setting up an airport for quarantine-free travel ...... 7 Departure from overseas ...... 9 Information given at booking ...... 9 Travel declaration – Nau Mai Ra ...... 9 Validation of travel declaration pre-departure ...... 11 Passenger health declaration on check in ...... 11 In the air ...... 14 Passenger announcements ...... 14 Management of ill travellers ...... 14 Arrival in New Zealand ...... 16 Face covers ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Arrival declarations ...... 17 Random temperature checking ...... 17 Secondary health assessment ...... 18 Onward referrals ...... 19 COVID-19 App ...... 21 Presentation of foreigners with suspected COVID-19 within New Zealand ...... 21 On departure from New Zealand ...... 23 Information given at booking ...... 23 Managing departing passengers who are unwell or present with COVID-19 symptoms ...... 23 Record keeping and Reporting ...... 24 Aggregate data ...... 24 Interim reporting ...... 24 Testing and vaccination of QFT border workers ...... 26 Response framework ...... 27 Incident Management Team ...... 28 Decision making ...... 29 Information sharing ...... 29 Air Border Order – operational guidance ...... 30 Annex 1: Information to be provided by airlines at Booking – Quarantine-free travel to New Zealand ...... 31 Annex 2: Text of In-flight Announcement (as at March 2021) ...... 33 Annex 3: Information to be provided by Airlines at Booking – New Zealand to [QFT country] ...... 34
4 Introduction
Purpose
This document is written primarily for District Health Boards (DHBs) and Public Health Units (PHUs) to consolidate information about the requirements to operate under Quarantine-Free Travel arrangements.
A considerable amount of information has already been provided to your sectors, and this document aims to bring it together in a way that makes it easy to find and understand. As such, there may be links to publicly available information, a consolidation of information you have already received, and new information.
This is a living document with updates and changes to be made and released as required.
Glossary
Airside Any part of the airport that is inaccessible to the general public but that is accessible to international arriving or international transiting passengers (for example, a civil aviation security area or a Customs-controlled area) ALO Airline Liaison Officer – an Immigration officer deployed to an overseas airport to provide advice to airline staff and conduct spot checks of passengers Arrival card New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card BAU Business as usual COVID-19 Infection caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus DHB District Health Board Face covering Any type of covering that covers the face and mouth of the wearer (e.g., mask, scarf or a bandana). Green flight/zone Flight, or zone at an airport, that is utilised for the purpose of facilitating traveller movement and not subject to the requirements of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Health staff A person who supports quarantine free travel in a clinical capacity, including staff from DHBs HPO Health Protection Officer IMT Incident Management Team IPC Infection prevention and control Managed Isolation A low-risk facility that hosts returnees that are (generally) Facility asymptomatic and not COVID-19 positive or close contacts of a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 Managed Isolation A general term encompassing managed isolation facilities (MIFs) and Quarantine and quarantine facilities (QFs) Facility (MIQF) Medical mask A surgical or procedure mask that is flat or pleated and is affixed to the head with straps that go around the ears or head or both. Its performance characteristics are tested according to a set of
5 standardized test methods (ASTM F2100, EN 14683, or equivalent) that aim to balance high filtration, adequate breathability and optionally, fluid penetration resistance MoH Ministry of Health MOoH Medical Officer of Health NBS National Border Solution NITC National Investigation and Tracing Centre at MoH PHU Public Health Unit PIM Public Information Management Quarantine Facility A higher-risk facility that hosts returnees that are confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19, or are a close contact of a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19. Red flight/zone Flight, or zone at an airport, that is utilised for the purpose of facilitating traveller movement subject to the requirements of Managed Isolation and Quarantine
6 Setting up an airport for quarantine-free travel
Only designated airlines and airports can participate in quarantine-free travel to New Zealand. The Minister for COVID-19 Response is responsible for designating airlines and airports, on advice from the Director-General of Health.
To become designated, airport companies are required to implement a COVID- Safe plan detailing how green and red travellers will be physically separated. They will manage green or both green and red travellers. Airports that will receive both green and red flights will be required to create green and red zones to provide physical separation of the traveller pathway through the airport, from disembarkation all the way to the exit, and from check-in to boarding. Airports’ plans for separating green and red passengers must account for the separation requirements of arriving, departing and (where applicable) transiting passengers, and the zones must be able to operate concurrently.
An airport choosing to only accept green flights will be unable to accept domestic red flights (i.e., those carrying new arrivals from their port of arrival to the city where they will undertake MIQ) through the same terminal.
Airport cleaning is to be undertaken by the airport company, in line with the cleaning standards set out in the IPC guidance. This applies even if all flights arriving at or departing from the airport are green flights.
Employers are required to supply hand sanitiser to staff where it is needed. Airport companies are required to supply it for passenger use, although agencies may choose to supply it for passengers in their own areas.
DHBs/PHUs will provide staff to carry out the following tasks at designated QFT airports:
• random temperature checking of 20% of arriving passengers
• providing secondary health assessments as required
• managing any passengers with COVID-19 symptoms.
DHBs are required to have separate teams dealing with red areas (red flights and MIQFs) and green flights. Health staff working in red zones or at MIQFs are not permitted to also work in green zones.
DHBs are to work with the airport company (and border agencies and airlines as required) to set up designated spaces for health staff to carry out these activities, in a way best suited to the flow and layout of each airport.
Random temperature checking needs to occur early in the arrival process (immediately before or after primary processing). DHBs, working with airport companies, must ensure there is adequate space to conduct temperature checking without delaying the flow of passengers.
7 Secondary health assessments require areas where other passengers cannot see or hear what is happening. However, they do not need to be private rooms. They should be areas away from the main passenger flow, separated from other passengers by privacy screens.
Health staff and the airport company (and border agencies and airlines as required) will also work together to ensure there are adequate processes for handling passengers (both arrivals and departures) who are unwell or suspected of having COVID-19. These processes should cover standard medical response protocols as well as referral to the Medical Officer of Health (MOoH) if necessary, maintaining infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, and transfer of the passenger to a MIQF if required. Further information is provided in section 5: Arrival in New Zealand.
Government requirements may change from time to time, and airlines, agencies and airports may be required to change their processes. Failure to implement changes when required could result in an airline or airport’s designation being suspended.
8 Departure from overseas
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES
MoH DHBs • Provide information for airlines to give to • None passengers at the time of booking • Provide airlines questions to ask passengers to check eligibility, and guidance for handling passengers who may not be eligible • Provide the online travel declaration
Information given at booking
MoH has given airlines information to pass on to passengers at the time of booking, or shortly afterwards (e.g., via email) that covers passenger eligibility, traveler declaration requirements and what passengers should expect in case of an outbreak. It includes a link to other relevant information on the Unite against COVID website. Annex 1 is the current information for passengers undertaking quarantine-free travel to New Zealand.
Travel declaration – Nau Mai Ra
Quarantine-free passengers must complete an online declaration (Nau Mai Ra) before they travel to New Zealand. This information is then loaded into the National Border Solution (NBS) to allow for improved contact tracing if an outbreak (of any level) occurs. Aircrew (both on-duty and repositioning) are exempt from this requirement. The pictures below are the current version of the declaration.
9
10 Validation of travel declaration pre-departure
Phase one:
• Initially, Airline Liaison Officers (ALOs) from Immigration New Zealand are spot checking travellers at overseas points of departure to raise awareness, and ensure completion, of Travel Declarations.
• If a declaration has not been completed, ALOs direct travellers to the website www.naumaira.covid19.govt.nz to complete the form shown above before completing check-in. If a traveller refuses to complete the form, the ALOs instruct the airline not to allow the passenger to board.
Phase two:
• Phase two of the travel declaration roll-out will allow the platform hosting the traveller declaration information to directly notify airlines that a traveller declaration has been completed. Information will be prepared for airlines in consultation with border agencies, to ensure they do not board passengers who have not completed the travel declaration.
Passenger health declaration on check in
Passengers travelling on green flights to New Zealand must meet health and eligibility requirements for that travel, as well as immigration and all other relevant regulatory requirements.
As is specified in the Air Border order, airlines are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that, prior to boarding, each person on the aircraft meets all the conditions for quarantine-free travel to New Zealand. To facilitate this, airlines must ask the prescribed health and eligibility questions at check-in overseas. Airlines can choose how they ask the questions, such as paper-based, through electronic check-in, or orally.
If a passenger declares or is found to not meet any of the eligibility criteria questions or has not completed their travel declaration - Nau Mai Ra, they are not eligible to travel on a green flight and are to be declined boarding.
If the passenger has a pre-existing condition that causes symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (for example, chronic hay fever causing a runny nose), they should declare these symptoms and provide the airline with evidence (such as a letter from their doctor) of their condition. If a passenger produces evidence of a medical condition that causes COVID-19-like symptoms, the airline should take this as valid and allow the passenger to board.
As an additional option for handling passengers who answer yes to one of these questions and do not have evidence of a pre-existing condition, the airline can choose to contract the services of a Registered Nurse in Australia. The nurse will examine the patient at the airport and provide advice to the airline about whether the passenger meets the health and eligibility criteria for quarantine-free travel.
11 A health declaration also forms part of the Arrival Card. Making a false declaration on the Arrival Card is an offence and may result in further action.
Health and eligibility questions:
In the past 14 days have you travelled outside New Zealand and [QFT country]?
Yes / No
In the past 14 days have you been advised that you are to stay at home or self-isolate for any reason; or are you currently awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test?
Yes / No
Are you currently experiencing any of the following symptoms (with or without fever)?
• new or worsening cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath
• runny nose
• loss of sense of smell
Yes / No
Have you completed the New Zealand Traveller Declaration online?
Yes / No
12
13 In the air
Passenger announcements
Airlines must ensure the official in-flight announcement is made on each quarantine-free flight to New Zealand, in addition to any other safety video. This announcement should be played when close to arrival.
Current text of the announcement is attached at Appendix 2.
Management of ill travellers
Airlines should have an up-to-date protocol for managing in-flight passenger illness, including notifying authorities at the destination.
Ill travellers with mild COVID-19 symptoms are to be referred directly to health staff without activating the Ill Traveller Protocol, in order to minimise the disruption to airports and airlines.
For other medical emergencies during a green flight, including ill travellers with COVID-19 symptoms who require urgent medical treatment, the airline must notify authorities at the destination airport. On arrival, the situation should be handled following the ill traveller protocols for that airport.
The following flow chart details the process for handling ill travellers in-flight.
14
15 Arrival in New Zealand
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES
MoH DHBs • Set health questions on Arrival Card • Encourage passengers and aircrew to wear, • Publish and supply COVID-19 Crew change and remove face coverings as Health Form required • Set, promulgate and review IPC • Conduct random temperature checks on 20% requirements for staff, passengers, airlines of passengers and airports • Conduct secondary health assessments and • Complete quarterly walkthroughs of IPC make recommendations to any passenger practices at airports that appears unwell, is symptomatic or is • Set criteria for health assessments identified as having a temperature of 38˚ Celsius or higher as part of screening at arrival
Personal Protective Equipment
All people arriving into New Zealand on green flights must wear face coverings from boarding their plane overseas until landside at their destination airport (unless exempt). Health staff may be stationed at appropriate points in the airport to encourage passengers and crew to have face coverings and wear them properly; encourage passenger flow; and discourage lingering. Any passenger or crew member not wearing a face covering should be requested to wear one and, if they refuse without good reason, they should first be referred to a Customs officer and then to Police if necessary.
Before exiting the airport into the public area, passengers and aircrew may remove their face coverings, sanitising their hands before and after this activity. If a passenger or aircrew member wishes to wear a face covering whilst landside, health staff may provide a new one or the passenger/aircrew member can wear their own clean face covering.
All health staff working airside are required to wear face coverings at all times as a minimum requirement for entering, exiting, working in or transiting the airside area e.g., at the commencement and completion of shift or whilst proceeding to take a break during shift. If the health staff member is undertaking random temperature checking or secondary health assessment of passengers, they are to wear the required PPE as specified for the task that they are undertaking in accordance with the IPC guidance for the Air Border, sections 2 and 6.
For stage 1 Health Checks (e.g., random temperature checking) staff should wear a N95/P2 particulate respirator and eye protection.
For Stage 2 Health Checks (e.g., secondary health assessment) staff should wear N95/P2 particulate respirator, eye protection, long sleeve gown and gloves.
16 Arrival declarations
Every arriving passenger is required to complete an Arrival Card. The Arrival Card is a statutory declaration and must be fully completed and submitted prior to any traveller leaving airside. It has sections for Customs, Biosecurity, Immigration and Health questions. Questions 10-17 on the final page relate to COVID-19.
Passengers who use e-Gates are required to answer health questions at the e- Gate before being permitted to pass through. For all other passengers, their Arrival Card is checked by border officials as part of their business as usual (BAU) passenger processing. Passengers with adverse answers to the health questions on the Arrival Card or at e-Gate are referred to health staff for secondary assessment.
When the passenger exits the airside area the Arrival Card is collected and scanned by Customs, and the images are supplied to Homecare Medical for transcription. The information may be used by MoH for contact tracing if required.
Aircrew: Every arriving aircrew member completes an Aircrew Declaration (either the New Zealand-domiciled or non-New Zealand-domiciled version, as appropriate) and the COVID-19 Crew Health Form. These are statutory declarations and must be fully completed and submitted prior to any aircrew member leaving airside. The Aircrew declaration is checked and collected by border officials as part of their BAU processing. Customs staff check and retain all COVID-19 Crew Health Forms. For aircrew members who live outside New Zealand, the name of their accommodation must be written on the form.
Random temperature checking
A temperature check is required for 20% of passengers arriving on green flights. Temperature checks are to be done using an in ear (tympanic) thermometer, non- contact infrared thermometer, or a thermal camera, and DHBs must ensure they have adequate supplies. Any device used must be accurate and be able to be regularly calibrated, in line with the manufacturer’s specifications and any applicable guarantee.
A health staff member wearing a N95/P2 particulate respirator and eye protection should be designated to randomly select passengers and direct them to health personnel for a temperature check. This health staff member should immediately make it clear to the passenger they have been selected at random for a temperature check, which the passenger may not refuse. Any non-compliance should first be escalated to a Customs officer and then to a Police officer.
Passengers may be feeling distressed and confused as to why they have been singled out. Ensure communication is clear, concise and respectful.
If the passenger records a temperature less than 38˚C, they should be allowed to carry on their way. If the passenger returns a high temperature reading (equal to 38˚C or above), they should be escorted to the defined assessment area for a secondary health assessment.
17 Data related to temperature checking needs to be captured for official information purposes. This information does not need to be reported unless requested. See section 7 for all data requiring capture, together with an example of captured data.
Secondary health assessment
The purpose of a secondary health assessment is to assess the patient’s symptoms in relation to the clinical criteria, and their history to determine whether they have a higher risk of exposure than the general public. The COVID-19 criteria and case definitions are published on the MoH website. Secondary health assessment is undertaken by a registered nurse when a passenger has recorded a high temperature as part of passenger temperature screening, appears visibly unwell or states that they are unwell at any stage of the journey, or has declared (on their Arrival Card, at e-Gate or to a Customs officer or health official) they are unwell and/or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Health staff undertaking secondary health assessments are to wear a N95/P2 particulate respirator, eye protection, a long sleeve fluid-resistant gown and gloves.
The Air Border Order defines a secondary health assessment as doing one or more of the following:
• taking the passenger’s temperature
• seeking an obtaining information about symptoms
• carrying out chest auscultation
• taking nose swabs or mouth swabs (or both).
By consent, the registered nurse may be able to conduct a more thorough assessment which includes:
• an investigation of the passenger’s symptoms and taking basic observations (which may include tympanic temperature reading, blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturations)
• investigation of any other health conditions the passenger has that may present as COVID-19 symptoms. The passenger may have a doctor’s letter or prescription medication that supports their claim
• investigation of possible exposure events, for example if the passenger knows or has been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 recently or the passenger has visited a location of interest in the past 14 days
• any other procedure or questioning the health professional deems necessary.
If the passenger is symptomatic and meets the Higher Index of Suspicion (HIS) or is symptomatic and is a close contact of a case (that is, they meet both the clinical criteria for COVID-19 and have a higher risk of exposure than the general public), they are classified as ‘more than a low risk of having or transmitting COVID-19 and are no longer exempt from isolation or quarantine requirements. They are required to have a COVID-19 test and self-isolate, isolate or enter quarantine while awaiting
18 the result. They would be notified to the local Public Health Unit where they will be residing who will follow up with them, and a Border Event and Health Screen is created for them in NBS. See 5.5 Onward Referrals, below.
If the passenger meets the clinical criteria but does not have a higher risk of exposure, they are asked to phone Healthline and arrange to have a COVID-19 test and stay at home/accommodation while awaiting the test result. A record is made in NBS but the passenger will not be followed up directly by airport health staff. If the passenger returns a positive test result, they will automatically be referred to the local PHU for management.
If they meet neither the clinical criteria or HIS criteria they are free to leave but are asked to phone Healthline should they develop symptoms and to download the COVID-19 App and scan wherever they go. No NBS record is required.
Passengers can refuse to undergo a secondary health assessment; however, passengers who refuse may be compelled to undergo a secondary health assessment by a section 70 order under the Health Act 1956 by a MOoH or be placed in an MIQ if they do not meet the conditions of the MIQ exemption for QFT passengers.
Any non-compliance for a secondary assessment should first be escalated to a Customs officer and then to a Police officer.
Data related to secondary health assessments needs to be captured for official information purposes. This data does not need to be reported unless requested. See section 7 for all data requiring capture, together with an example of captured data.
Onward referrals
Health staff must work with the airport company to ensure there are adequate processes for handling arriving passengers suspected of having COVID-19. These processes should cover a referral to the MOoH where necessitated, maintaining IPC measures in relation to the passenger and their close contacts, and transfer of the passenger to self-isolation, a locally managed isolation location, or a MIQF (or hospital, if hospital-level care is required). For teams working in airports currently receiving international flights, existing processes can be used to guide this process.
If during a secondary health assessment a passenger meets both the clinical criteria, and is a close contact or meets the HIS criteria, the nurse undertaking the assessment contacts the MOoH (typically by phone) to gain approval to classify the passenger as ‘Category A’ or ‘Cat A – QFTZ’ in NBS, and a Border Event and Health Screen is created for them in NBS.
All DHBs/PHUs need to ensure they have access to the NBS to enter this data, making sure to ‘check-in’ the Border Health Report (BHR) to the relevant PHU to the passenger’s final destination, and as a courtesy, notify the PHU via email so they are aware of this.
19 The MoH Data and Digital team ([email protected]) can be contacted to ensure the system and training is in place.
Health officials at the airport should work with the passenger and their bubble to determine a suitable location for them to isolate and undertake testing for COVID- 19. If the isolation place is not a MIQF, it must be approved by the MOoH.
The following should be considered when determining whether a passenger’s declared accommodation location or an alternate location is suitable:
• nature of the premises – private home, hotel, motel, etc.
• distance of premises from airport of arrival
• whether the passenger and their bubble can travel directly to the premises without increased risk to the community (e.g. private/personal car)
• where there are potential transport risks, whether these be mitigated to an acceptably low level for the duration of transport, for example by using PPE
• whether the passenger and their bubble can stay in those premises for the entire duration of their isolation
• whether the passenger and their bubble can remain separated from other people in that location, including whether they will have their own bathroom facilities. A room in a hostel is not appropriate unless the passenger and their bubble are the only occupants and it has an en-suite bathroom
• whether the passenger and their bubble will have access to necessary services (e.g., food and medical care) while in isolation
• the likelihood of the passenger and their bubble complying with isolation requirements
• whether the passenger and their bubble feel they can successfully isolate in those premises for the length of time required.
For symptomatic passengers and their bubbles that are required to either self- isolate or be transferred to a MIQF the following should be considered when developing a transport plan to the place of isolation:
• whether the passenger and their bubble are fit to undertake the proposed travel. Please note that the state of health of the individual and their fitness to undertake any proposed travel to a location for isolation should be the determining factor, rather than the potential time/distance of travel
• if any person is not fit to travel the required distance, an alternate location for isolation should be identified and specified by the local DHB
20 • any person that is not fit for onward travel should be transferred by ambulance (including air ambulance or rescue helicopter if necessary) to the nearest hospital with isolation capability
• whether the proposed travel can be undertaken with minimal risk to public health or the risk can be appropriately mitigated e.g. with the use of PPE
• whether toilet or fuel stops will be required en-route, and how they will be managed e.g., prescribed and provided with relevant PPE and IPC instructions by DHB staff before departure from airport.
COVID-19 App
Further consideration is being given to how to maximise the use of the NZ COVID Tracer App and the role airports might play in this (for example, by displaying a QR code for downloading the app). Officials will provide relevant information as soon as possible.
Presentation of foreigners with suspected COVID- 19 within New Zealand
Visitors from QFT countries who present to the New Zealand health system (such as a general practitioner or an emergency department) with COVID-19 systems are to be treated according to usual domestic patient and infectious disease protocols.
21
22 On departure from New Zealand
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES
MoH DHBs • Provide information for airlines to give to • None passengers at the time of booking
Information given at booking
Airlines provide information for passengers at the time of booking or shortly afterwards (e.g., via email). Annex 3 contains the information for passengers leaving New Zealand.
Managing departing passengers who are unwell or present with COVID-19 symptoms
Airlines and airports have pre-COVID-19 ill traveller protocols for dealing with ill passengers at check-in. There are no additional requirements for screening or assessment of departing passengers or crew for QFT flights or other departing flights.
23 Record keeping and Reporting
Aggregate data
The following aggregate data are to be collected about QFT flights:
• Total number of passengers (if available/known by DHBs/PHUs)
• Number of passengers temperature screened / proportion of total passengers
• Total number of passengers referred to secondary screening due to:
. temperature over 38˚c
. recording symptoms on arrival card
. other reasons.
• Of those passengers referred to secondary screening, the number who:
. were deemed to not meet COVID-19 symptom criteria
. met COVID-19 symptom criteria
. were required to take a COVID-19 test.
• Number of passengers referred to MOoH after secondary health assessment
• Number of passengers referred to alternate health service/provider after secondary health assessment
No personal information is to be collected about the passenger unless they meet the COVID-19 symptom criteria during a secondary health assessment, in which case a record is created for them in NBS as required in 5.4.4 and 5.4.5.
Interim reporting
For the first two weeks of QFT with a new place, in order to keep the Ministry and Ministers informed, PHUs should send the [email protected] each day:
• Number of arriving passengers
• Number of passengers temperature screened
• Number of passengers referred for secondary health assessment
24 • Number of passengers with adverse findings at the secondary health assessment
• Short note of any action taken in relation to a passenger that has been entered into the NBS.
25 Testing and vaccination of QFT border workers
All border workers who are ‘affected persons’ under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Order 2020 must comply with that Order. PCBUs must also comply with their legal obligations under this Order.
Testing requirements for border workers at airports receiving QFT flights are subject to change. The COVID-19 Testing team will provide up-to-date information to DHBs and PHUs as it is issued.
26 Response framework
As part of QFT with Australia, a Response Framework has been developed identifying a graduated series of “levels” based on public health factors. At each level, a range of measures are identified that could be used to respond depending on the specifics of each outbreak.
The Response Framework is designed to be flexible. It is linked to our Elimination Strategy and guided by the policy objectives of preventing the introduction of COVID-19 cases into New Zealand, ensuring QFT can operate as normal so long as it is safe to do so, and minimising the impact of any disruption to travellers and operators.
The Response Framework also provides the option of a short period “pause” if necessary so officials can gather and assess information on an emerging situation and develop a proportionate risk-based response.
If an outbreak is unlikely to be controlled, the Response Framework provides for a prolonged partial or full suspension of QFT.
A copy of the public facing Response Framework can be found at www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2021-04/QFT%20traffic%20light.pdf
27 Options that may be put in place under a ‘pause’ or ‘suspension’ are:
• passengers to undertake a pre-departure test before flying
• self-isolate in NZ and get a COVID-19 test
• if passenger returns from an Australian state where travel has been paused or suspended, they may be required to go into managed isolation when they arrive in New Zealand.
Incident Management Team
MoH has an Incident Management Team (IMT) who monitor and analyse surveillance data from a range of sources in relation to cases, clusters and the potential for, likelihood and management of, community transmission. The IMT is activated when certain triggers occur, such as a positive case in New Zealand, and now under QFT, a case in Australia.
MoH will put IMT on standby and monitor the situation when a locally-acquired case has been detected in Australia with contact tracing still underway.
The IMT will stand up when a notification is received from Australia confirming a positive case where one or more known close contacts have travelled to/or is in New Zealand during the potential incubation or infectious period, and the close contact has been in the community (i.e., this response is not triggered if the close contact arrived on a red flight and is in a MIQF).
The IMT will continue to stand up when notified (typically from the DHBs/PHUs) of a case in New Zealand.
MoH has agreed with our Australian counterparts that respective Public Health officials will provide a notification/heads-up of a positive COVID-19 via phone call, noting that further information will follow. This is likely the first awareness MoH, and New Zealand, receives – although at time media reporting may precede MoH notification.
At this point, there are established and prescribed activities to be taken by MoH. Each activity has indicated timings which are best-case scenarios and likely to be fluid in the event of a response.
MoH will inform DHBs and PHUs and other agencies when their specific resurgence plans should be activated or put on stand-by for activation. This will generally be through a National Health Advisory issued by MoH.
Communications to DHBs and PHUs
A key component of the response is the communications about the standby or activation the IMT via the Public Information Management (PIM) team. DHBs and PHUs must ensure they advise COVID-19 Border Ops (COVID-
28 [email protected]) of their latest key contacts and after-hours contacts which will be provided to the IMT and PIM for their use in a response.
Affected DHBs and PHUs will be contacted directly by the IMT to attend a stand-up which will walk through the draft Situational Report (Sitrep) to provide context and background to the case.
Affected DHBs and PHUs will be required to give twice-daily updates as part of IMT stand-ups (approx. 9:30am and 4pm).
In the event of a ‘pause’ or ‘suspension’ of quarantine-free travel the PIM and IMT will be the point of contact to DHBs/PHUs about the required action, such as the distribution of any key messaging to passengers. The National Investigation and Tracing Centre (NITC) team will be the key point of contact for identification of any cohorts of passengers or recent arrivals. The NITC will be in contact about any action required by affected DHBs/PHUs for these cohorts.
At any time, DHBs and PHUs can seek updates on the key messaging via 0800 GET MOH (0800 438 664) and selecting #1 for information.
Decision making
Concurrent with MoH’s IMT activation, MoH will also be following a process (similar to that used for Alert Level changes) in order for Cabinet to make a decision on how to respond.
To support that decision, MoH will provide the Minister for COVID-19 Response a Health Report that outlined interim health advice and other known information on the case(s). The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) will then prepare a paper providing updated health advice and recommendations to Cabinet for their decision.
Information sharing
A SitRep is prepared daily by MoH’s Intelligence and Surveillance team and provides updates on COVID-19 cases in New Zealand. It is distributed to a select list of contacts and to our QFT counterparts.
The content of the Sitrep is carefully managed and recipients are responsible for ensuring this report is not forwarded beyond the original recipient list.
When an IMT is active, more detailed reports and frequent information sharing occurs between our QFT counterparts and New Zealand via a secure portal (National Focal Point). MoH has agreed a templated form for the sharing for this more detailed information.
In addition, when IMT is active, affected DHBs/PHUs will be contacted and provided with the Sitrep and any other relevant information or reports directly.
29 Air Border Order – operational guidance
In June 2020, Cabinet agreed general principles for COVID-safe travel zones and that the first COVID-safe travel zone was intended to be with Australia [CAB-20- MIN-0278]. A COVID-safe travel zone is intended to introduce free people movement without quarantine, in a way that: people and governments trust is safe; ensures public health requirements are met; ensures people travelling to New Zealand do not have, or are very unlikely to have, COVID-19; is practically workable; and is commercially and operationally viable for airlines and airports.
On 22 March 2021 Cabinet agreed in principle that New Zealand would commence two-way quarantine-free travel (QFT) with Australia in April 2021, subject to Cabinet being satisfied that several operational, technical and health requirements have been progressed [CAB-21-MIN-0081 refers].
Quarantine Free Travel aims to restore travel with Australia in a way that enhances New Zealand’s economic recovery and reconnects our people, while mitigating the risks of importing COVID-19.
On 6 April 2021 Cabinet agreed that New Zealand would commence two-way quarantine-free travel (QFT) with Australia.
The ability for people to enter New Zealand and not have to adhere to requirements to have a confirmed allocation to enter a managed isolation or quarantine facility and isolation or quarantine on arrival is given by the following orders:
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border, Isolation and Quarantine, and Required Testing) Amendment Order 2021
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Exemption for Quarantine-free Travel) Notice 2021.
Quarantine free travel with Australia can commence from 11.59 pm on 18 April 2021.
The operational policy design provides the policy parameters for the introduction of quarantine free travel at the air border. The document outlines the eligibility for air carriers, airports, passengers and crew must meet in order to participate in QFT. This is still to be finalised and will be appended to this document upon completion.
30 Annex 1: Information to be provided by airlines at Booking – Quarantine-free travel to New Zealand (as at April 2021)
Kia ora, For quarantine-free travel to New Zealand, there are things you need to be aware of to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19.
PREPARE FOR A CHANGE IN TRAVEL An outbreak of COVID-19 could lead to quarantine-free travel being disrupted, including: • your flight to or from New Zealand is paused or suspended • if you are returning to a state where travel has been suspended, you may need to go into managed isolation on arrival • a pre-departure test may be required. Check the terms and conditions of your tickets and travel insurance. You may need to stay longer. Additional costs and getting home will be your responsibility. You will also notice some extra precautions when you arrive in New Zealand. Please cooperate with staff requests.
ELIGIBILITY TO TRAVEL For all quarantine-free flights to Aotearoa New Zealand, you must meet the following criteria before you can travel: • you must have been in Australia for 14-days before travel to New Zealand • during the 14-day period before travel, you did not have a positive COVID-19 test or be awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test • you meet New Zealand immigration requirements.
It is a requirement for passengers to complete a pre-departure declaration so the Government of New Zealand will be better able to contact you for COVID-19 tracing purposes should this be necessary. You will also be required to complete a health declaration at check-in. Please bring evidence of any pre-existing medical conditions when you check-in, to avoid being denied boarding.
KEEP YOURSELF AND OTHERS SAFE: On arrival in New Zealand there are a few things you should do. • Download the NZ COVID Tracer app to your smartphone, free from the App Store or Google Play. Use the NZ COVID Tracer app to: o scan QR codes to create a private digital diary of the places you visit - All businesses, services and events in New Zealand display QR codes. o turn on Bluetooth tracing to keep an anonymised record of the people you’ve been near o register your contact details so contact tracers can get in touch if they need to. • If you visit the same place at around the same time as someone who later tests positive for COVID-19, you will receive an alert through the app with information on how to stay safe. • If you don’t have a smartphone, use the NZ COVID Tracer booklet, a paper record or photo diary of all the places you go. The booklet will be available as you enter the airport. • Unless exempt, it is mandatory to wear a face covering on planes and public transport
31 • If you feel unwell at any time, isolate in your accommodation and call Healthline for advice - 0800 358 5453. • Remember to wash and sanitise your hands regularly.
Stay up to date on important announcements and information while in New Zealand. (website icon) Covid19.govt.nz (fb icon) @UniteAgainstCOVID19 (Instagram icon) uniteagainstcovid19 (twitter icon) @covid19nz
Ngā mihi nui, enjoy your time in beautiful Aotearoa.
32 Annex 2: Text of In-flight Announcement (as at March 2021) Announcement to be made before landing in New Zealand
Kia ora, this is a message from the New Zealand Government. Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand. We are able to open quarantine free travel between New Zealand and [QFT country] because it is currently safe to do so. However, the New Zealand Government advises all travellers that an outbreak of COVID-19 could cause a change to the conditions you are travelling under. This could mean your return is delayed and/or in exceptional circumstances, you may be required to enter quarantine or isolation upon return. By undertaking travel at this time, you are accepting that it will be your responsibility to manage any COVID-19 related travel disruption and associated costs. Please check the terms and conditions of your tickets and travel insurance. You will also notice some extra precautions at the border. Please cooperate with staff requests. Once in New Zealand there are a few things you will need to do to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19. • Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly. • On arrival, download the NZ Covid Tracer app on your phone and turn on the Bluetooth function. There is a QR code you can scan at the airport to get the app. • All businesses and services in New Zealand display QR codes that you should scan using the app to record where you have been. If there are COVID-19 cases in New Zealand, health officials will use the app data to contact you if you may have been exposed. • If you don’t have a smartphone, keep a paper record or photo diary of all the places you go. A booklet for this purpose will be available as you enter the airport. • Unless exempt, please wear a face mask on any international or domestic flights and while airside at your international arrival airport. A mask will be provided by the airline if you do not have one. You must also wear a mask on all public transport within New Zealand. • If you feel unwell at any time, stay in your accommodation and call Healthline for advice. The Healthline number is available on the handout. • The website www.covid.govt.nz is a one-stop shop for all New Zealand COVID-19 information. This is where you’ll find information about any changes to quarantine-free travel – please check it regularly. Thank you for your cooperation.
33 Annex 3: Information to be provided by Airlines at Booking – New Zealand to [QFT country] (as at March 2021)
QUARANTINE-FREE TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA Being able to undertake quarantine free travel between New Zealand and Australia is an important step back towards normal. But we are not yet back at normal. BE PREPARED FOR COVID-19 TO DISRUPT YOUR TRAVEL: While it is currently safe to travel without quarantine, this could change very quickly. The New Zealand Government advises all travellers that an outbreak of COVID-19 could cause a change to the conditions you are travelling under. This could mean your return is delayed and/or in exceptional circumstances you may be required to enter quarantine or isolation upon return. By undertaking travel at this time, you are accepting that it will be your responsibility to manage any COVID-19 related travel disruption and associated costs. Please check the terms and conditions of your tickets and travel insurance. ELIGIBILITY TO TRAVEL To be eligible to travel to Australia quarantine-free you must meet Australian requirements. Please check here. Before you travel, please remember to: • check for any restrictions in the locations you intend to travel to, • register your travel on www.safetravel.govt.nz but please note that Government assistance is unlikely to be available, and CROSSING THE BORDER You will notice some extra precautions at the border. Please cooperate with staff requests. Please bring evidence of any pre-existing conditions when you check-in, to avoid being denied boarding. Please also check the terms and conditions of your travel insurance with regards to being denied boarding due to COVID-19. Unless exempt, please wear a face mask on the flight to Australia. A mask will be provided by the airline if you do not have one. KEEPING YOURSELF AND OTHERS SAFE Once in Australia there are a few things you can do to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19: • Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly. • Follow all local guidelines, including in relations to contact tracing and face masks. • If you feel unwell, stay in your accommodation and call a doctor for advice. • Monitor the Australian Government Department of Health website for any changes to the • COVID-19 situation there www.health.gov.au Regularly check www.covid19.govt.nz for information about any changes to the quarantine-free travel arrangements and the situation in New Zealand. Especially check this just prior to your return. Thank you, we hope you enjoy your travels.
34