Overseas travel in 2021:
What you need to know

While quarantine-free travel is rolling out between New Zealand and certain countries, it’s still much different than it was pre-COVID-19. To help, we’ve compiled an overview of what you need to know.

Where can you travel?

•  Between New Zealand and Australia – as of 19 April 2021.

•  Between New Zealand and the Cook Islands – as of 17 May 2021.

Travel criteria

People in New Zealand are eligible for quarantine-free travel if they meet the criteria and usual immigration requirements. You must have also been in New Zealand for at least 14 days prior to departure.

While a pre-departure COVID-19 test and vaccination aren’t required, any symptomatic people will be turned away. If you have pre-existing conditions with symptoms similar to COVID-19 (i.e. hay fever), be prepared with a medical certificate.

If you’re travelling to Australia, you’ll need to complete the Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departure and also make sure your destination is accepting quarantine-free flights, as individual states can close their borders. Find out more here.

For the Cook Islands, you’ll need to complete this online form at least 24 hours before departure.

What to expect during your flight

It’s compulsory for everyone aged 12 and above to wear a face covering on flights unless you have an exemption (exemption cards are available from Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if required). It’s recommended (and compulsory in Australia) that you also wear a face covering in the airport.

What to do while you’re there

When you arrive at your destination, your health may be screened. If you feel unwell at any stage, it’s important you let airport or biosecurity staff know immediately.

Continue practising physical distancing, good hygiene, tracking movements and isolating when you feel unwell to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Register for SafeTravel to get the latest travel advice and to be alerted in an emergency.

In Australia, there’s a traffic light system for COVID-19 outbreaks – find out more information here. Follow the national guidelines and specific state or territory conditions. While there’s an Australian contact tracing app, most states and territories also have their own.

The Cook Islands has a four-tier COVID-19 Alert System, similar to New Zealand’s. Make sure to follow guidelines, including registering and scanning with a CookSafe QR Card. Find out more here.

What to do if you get sick

If you get sick or start feeling unwell, isolate in your accommodation and contact a doctor and the following national helplines for advice:

•  Australia – 1800 020 080. Available free and 24/7.

•  Cook Islands – 29667.

For more on quarantine-free travel, visit the COVID-19 government website.

nib’s Ultimate Health Travel Insurance

The New Zealand Government recommends getting travel insurance before you travel.

One feature that sets nib’s Ultimate Health and Ultimate Health Max policies apart is the complementary travel insurance that is included.

nib Ultimate Health Travel insurance provides cover for individuals and families. This is available to anyone insured on Ultimate Health or Ultimate Health Max policies submitted on or after 21 April 2018, so long as their premiums are up to date.

Product benefits for nib Ultimate Health Travel Insurance include cover for:

•  Emergency medical or dental expenses incurred overseas – includes sudden illness or serious injury, needing medical, hospital, ambulance or other treatment.

•  Accidental death or total permanent disability – if travellers suffer an injury resulting in death or permanent loss of sight or loss or use of limbs.

•  Cancellation costs – if travel needs to be cancelled due to an event covered by the policy.

•  Rental vehicle insurance excess – if a rental vehicle is involved in an accident, is damaged or stolen.

•  Special events – additional travel expenses to get to an important event on time if travel is interrupted by any unforeseeable cause outside of travellers’ control.

•  Travel delay – if pre-paid scheduled transport is cancelled, rescheduled or delayed for more than 6 hours.

•  Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal effects.

Please note that nib's Ultimate Health Travel Insurance policy will not pay for any claim relating to a loss that arises because the traveller did not follow advice shared by the mass media, a government or another official body’s warning in relation to COVID-19. Cover may not be available for losses arising from border closures. No cover is available for any event under any section of the policy when travelling to a country or region for which the New Zealand Government has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning.

In the event of a community outbreak of COVID-19 or border closures, travel insurance won’t cover the cost of quarantine or getting stuck overseas. However, subject to the policy document and your circumstances, cover may be available for the above benefits to help keep you protected from a number of unforeseen events.

If you’d like to find out more about nib’s Ultimate Health Travel Insurance, the policy document can be found here. To contact your Adviser Partner Manager if you have any questions.