Travellers to New Zealand will be able to self-isolate in a bubble with their family or friends, and will be able to leave isolation in specific circumstances, the government says.
ravel to their accommodation must be direct with no stops elsewhere, masks must be worn until they reach their accommodation, and they would be asked to sanitise hands and physically distance as much as possible.
People picking travellers up from the airport would also be required to mask up.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins this morning revealed more of the rules for self-isolating travellers ahead of the planned border reopening, which will happen in stages from the end of this month.
He said those self-isolating would be allowed to form a bubble with family or friends when in isolation, but must "minimise contact with others as much as possible".
No other visitors would be allowed, and isolation would not be allowed in places with shared group facilities like hostels or backpackers.
Hipkins said travellers would be allowed to leave self-isolation in specific circumstances such as visiting terminally ill relatives, to access urgent healthcare or to attend court hearings.
In that situation they would be "encouraged to take a RAT if visiting a high-risk location such as a hospital or aged care facility and need to follow public health measures," he said.
Pre-approved groups like sports teams or performers may also be allowed to train or rehearse outside their isolation location.
The government had already signalled travellers would be required to return rapid antigen tests on arrival and on day five/six of their seven-day isolation period. They would be provided with three test kits on arrival, and required to send the results of the tests to officials.
Travellers would also be required to provide a pre-departure test and evidence of vaccination, and fill out a Traveller Declaration form with information including confirmation of where they would stay.
Accepted pre-departure tests would include PCR tests, or a supervised LAMP tests or rapid antigen test.
The changes kick in from 28 February, when the first stage of border reopening takes place allowing New Zealanders and eligible travellers - from Australia only - to enter the country without going into Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ).
"These precautions for entry have been updated in light of the latest information about Omicron and continue our approach of putting safety first, as we shift into new phases of our Omicron Response plan," Hipkins said.
"The self-isolation requirements will be kept under review, with a view to reducing them over time."
The five stages of border reopening:
Unvaccinated travellers aged 17 and up would still be required to go into MIQ.