New Zealand’s COVID-19 minister, Ayesha Verrall, said in a statement that a public health risk assessment had concluded that travelers from China would not significantly contribute to the number of cases in the country. .
“There is very little public health risk to New Zealand,” she said.
Several countries including the UK, US and Australia have required travelers from China to present a negative COVID-19 test because of concerns about the size of the country’s outbreak and skepticism about medical statistics. economy of Beijing. The move has been criticized by Chinese state media as discriminatory.
Infections in China spiked after the country dropped its strict zero-case policy on December 7, allowing the virus to spread.
All international arrivals to New Zealand are required to be tested if they have symptoms, and the country offers free testing at the airport.
Officials will ask some travelers from China to take voluntary tests to gather more information, which Verrall said reflects New Zealand’s concern along with the World Health Organization about the China lacks information sharing. New Zealand is also planning to test waste water testing on international flights to see if this can replace targeted and voluntary testing by individuals.
