Document 1.pdf

Briefing
Review of air border control measures relating to New Zealand-domiciled
aircrew
Date due to MO:  24 May 2021
Action required by:
1 June 2021
Security level:
IN CONFIDENCE
Health Report number:  20211057
To:
Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for COVID-19 Response
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Copy to:
Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health
Hon Michael Wood, Minister of Transport
Contact for telephone discussion
INFORMATION
Name
Position
Telephone
Dr Ashley Bloomfield
Director-General of Health
s 9(2)(a)
Maree Roberts
Deputy Director-General, System Strategy and Policy  s 9(2)(a)
Minister’s office to complete:
☐ Approved
☐ Decline
☐ Noted
☐ Needs change
☐ Seen
☐ Overtaken by events
☐ See Minister’s Notes
☐ Withdrawn
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Comment:

Review  of  air  border  control  measures
relating to New Zealand-domiciled aircrew
Security level:
IN CONFIDENCE
Date:
26 May 2021
To:
Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for COVID-19 Response
Purpose of report

This health report recommends changes to:
a.  obligations currently imposed on Air Zealand’s (AirNZ’s) New Zealand-domiciled
aircrew who fly higher-risk routes
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b.  provisions in the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) 2020
(the Air Border Order) so they work better to address the public health risks
associated with long haul international flights.
Summary
Removing the HRR obligations for AirNZ New Zealand-domiciled aircrew only
INFORMATION
2.
High Risk Route (HRR) obligations apply to New Zealand-domiciled aircrew only. AirNZ
are currently the only airline operating long-haul (over six hours) international routes
with such aircrew. This is not expected to change any time soon.
3.
When a route is designated as high risk, New Zealand-domiciled aircrew have specific
self-isolation and testing requirements that are designed to mitigate the risk of their
travel on that route and their return to New Zealand. The requirements are imposed on
aircrew on regularly-scheduled international air services, charter and private flights.
4.
If a route is not deemed high risk, New Zealand-domiciled aircrew are exempt from
isolation and quarantine requirements. They undergo a health-check upon arrival to
enable an appropriate public health response to any COVID-19 concerns.
5.
Currently, two routes have been designated high risk. These are Los Angeles and San
Francisco. These designations were put in place due to a concern about AirNZ’s ability to
comply fully with the Key Safety Standards (the Standards) on these routes. The
Standards are designed to ensure that aircrew are protected from the risk of contracting
COVID-19 while overseas and transmitting it into the New Zealand community on return.
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6.
AirNZ has addressed the issues that caused Los Angeles and San Francisco to be
designated HRR. While the routes themselves still present with risk of importing COVID-
19 into New Zealand, the AirNZ aircrew who fly those routes are no longer considered to
be high risk because of their compliance with the Standards. This means that there is no
longer a public health need for those aircrew to undertake the isolation and testing
requirements associated with higher-risk routes and should be treated like other aircrew.
7.
If you agree, from a New Zealand Bill of Rights Act (NZBORA) perspective, the affected
aircrew should be exempt from them and that exemption should be progressed
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expeditiously. Accordingly, an exemption notice for your signature is attached at
Appendix One.
Providing more flexibility to manage risk in the Air Border Order
8.
In undertaking our review of AirNZ’s compliance with the Standards, we have identified
that there is an opportunity to further refine the operation of the Air Border Order. The
order provides that a route is either higher-risk or not. It does not allow a public health
risk assessment that takes account of both the risks associated with the route and
aircrew returning from the route, including considering their compliance (or otherwise)
with the Standards.

We want to be confident that all airlines have route-specific arrangements in place to
support their New Zealand-domiciled aircrew to meet the Standards. For this reason, we
recommend that several changes are made to HRR route provisions in the Air Border
Order, including that:
a.  they be renamed to be clear that both the route and the airlines’ and their aircrews’
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compliance with the Key Safety Standards is what is assessed
b.  the Director-General of Health can continue to designate routes as requiring a risk
assessment (as it remains necessary to do so)
c.  the Director-General can exempt specific airlines from the self-isolation and testing
obligations if an airline can demonstrate compliance with the Standards
d.  airlines must consult with the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on any proposals to
INFORMATION
change safety protocols for their routes and advise us when changes are made.

We also recommend the Director-General designate all long-haul (over six hours)
international routes as routes requiring assessment. This will clarify that all New Zealand-
domiciled aircrew who fly routes requiring assessment will remain subject to the usual
isolation and testing requirements until the airlines with which they fly have
demonstrated that they are complying with the Standards. This includes charter and
private flight operators. We have consulted with the airline sector on this proposal. Key
stakeholders understand the risk we are seeking to address.

Officials will also work on a repeatable process that will enable AirNZ and all other
airlines to have their compliance with the Standards assessed on a regular basis, some
that we can do with our quarterly reviews of the Air Border Order. Where found to be
compliant, the Director-General may then exempt them from the isolation and
quarantine requirements associated. Of note, we will ensure that QFT Carrier flights are
not disrupted by the recommendations which will only apply to long-haul international
routes.
Recommendations
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Officials recommend that you:
a)
Note to make an informed decision about the risk of returning New
Note
Zealand-domicile aircrew our public health risk assessment needs to
consider both the:
i.
risk associated with the route an airline is flying
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ii.
risk management approach of airlines and their ability to
demonstrate compliance with the Key Safety Standards
b)
Agree to amend the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order
Yes/No
(No 2) 2020 so that:
i.
the higher-route provisions are renamed to be clear that both the
route and the airlines’ and their aircrews’ compliance with the Key
Safety Standards is what is assessed
ii.
the Director-General of Health can continue to designate routes
as requiring a risk assessment (as it remains necessary to do so)
iii.
the Director-General can exempt specific airlines from the self-
isolation and testing obligations if an airline can demonstrate
compliance with the Key Safety Standards
iv.
airlines must consult with the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on ACT 1982
any proposals to change safety protocols for their routes, and
advise us when changes are made
c)
Note that the changes recommended above will enable a repeatable
Note
public health risk assessment to be undertaken of any airline with New
Zealand-domiciled crew starting a new long-haul international route
d)
Note that we need to be able to undertake risk assessment of any charter
INFORMATION  Note
or private flight carriers, and new commercial carriers who may seek to
operate a long-haul international route
e)
Agree that, to enable risk assessments to be undertaken, the Director-
Yes/No
General of Health should designate all long-haul (over six hours)
international routes as routes that require an assessment
f)
Note that we have already assessed that Air New Zealand is compliant with  Noted
the Key Safety Standards for all their long-haul international routes
h)
Agree  to  exempt  New  Zealand-domiciled  aircrew  on  Air  New  Zealand’s  Yes/No
regularly-scheduled  international  air  services  from  isolation  and  testing
obligations associated with higher-risk routes and sign the exemption notice
at Appendix One
i)
Note Air New Zealand’s exemption is based on the ongoing ability of their  Note
aircrew to meet the Key Safety Standards and this will continue to be assessed
regularly
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j)
Agree  to  the  Ministry  of  Health  issuing  drafting  instructions  to  the  Yes/No
Parliamentary  Counsel  Office  to  make  the  recommended  amendments,
including any associated consequential, minor and technical amendments, to
the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act (Air Border) Order (No 2)
h)
Note officials have consulted with key government agencies, along with
Note
Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar, the Board of Airline Representatives
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New Zealand and New Zealand Airports, and feedback has been
incorporated into the paper as appropriate
i)
Note that, subject to your agreement, you will be provided with a further
Note
Health Report in July 2021 accompanying all the draft amendments to the
COVID-19 Public Health Response Act (Air Border) Order (No 2), for
consultation with relevant Ministers.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield
  Hon Chris Hipkins
Director-General of Health
  Minister for COVID-19 Response
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Date: 23/05/2021
  Date:

INFORMATION
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Review  of  air  border  control  measures
relating to New Zealand-domiciled aircrew
Background and context
12.
The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2) 2020 (Air Border Order)
enables the Director-General to designate a route as a HRR. When a route is designated
as a HRR, New Zealand-domiciled aircrew members returning to New Zealand must:
a.  self-isolate for 48 hours
b.  undergo a test for COVID-19
c.  continue to self-isolate until a negative test is returned.
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13.
AirNZ is currently the only airline with New Zealand-domiciled crew flying to and from
New Zealand. This is expected to remain the case for some time. This means they are the
only airline subject to the HRR obligations. Non-domiciled aircrew on AirNZ and other
airlines are subject to managed isolation and quarantine obligations.
14.
If a route is not a HRR, New Zealand-domiciled aircrew members are subject to a health
check on return to New Zealand before they can enter the country. This means a public
health intervention can still occur if there is cause for concern about them having
contracted COVID-19 and transmitting it into the community.
INFORMATION
15.
Currently, two routes have been designated as HRR. These are Los Angeles and San
Francisco. These designations were put in place considering the:
a.  prevalence of COVID-19 cases in the United States at the time they were designated
b.  risk of AirNZ aircrew being exposed to COVID-19 during flights and layovers.

When you were briefed on the HRR designations on 19 February 2021 [HR 20210342
refers], in summary, you:
a.  were provided with a risk framework to assess risk of COVID-19 transmission into
the community posed by New Zealand-domiciled aircrew returning to New Zealand
b.  directed officials to work with AirNZ and the Ministry of Transport (Transport) to
further refine the proposed framework and consider its impacts
c.  directed officials to work with AirNZ and Transport to ascertain whether any of the
risks associated with AirNZ’s New Zealand-domiciled aircrew could be addressed
d.  indicated that you expected all routes to be HRR unless specifically exempted and
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that the designations would be reviewed on a regular basis.
17.
This report responds to your February 2021 direction to work with AirNZ and Transport
on the HRR framework, and to assess the risks of AirNZ New Zealand-domiciled aircrew
returning from Los Angeles and San Francisco. We have undertaken work this in the
context of a complex and constantly changing environment.
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Providing more flexibility to manage risk in the Air Border Order

In undertaking the work you directed, we have identified that the provisions in the Air
Border Order could benefit from a further refinement. A route is either deemed higher-
risk or not under the current Order. The provision does not allow an explicit public
health risk assessment that considers both the risks associated with the route, along with
the risk management approach and safety protocols of the airline.

In the constantly-changing environment at our air border, we want to be confident that
all airlines have route-specific arrangements in place to support their aircrew to meet the
Standards. Compliance with the Standards while overseas mitigates the risk of New
Zealand domiciled-aircrew contracting and transmitting COVID-19, meaning that the
isolation and testing obligations on return are no longer necessary.

The risk framework you agreed in February 2021, considers both the route along with
airlines’ risk management approach. We would like to amend the Air Border Order to
reflect this framework, and to avoid confusion between these provisions and the ‘very
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high risk country’ provisions. As such, we recommend refining the framework by
amending the Air Border Order so that:
a.  the higher-route provisions are renamed to be clear that both the route and the
airlines’ and their aircrews’ compliance with the Standards is what is assessed1
b.  the Director-General of Health can continue to designate routes as requiring a risk
assessment (as it remains necessary to do so)  INFORMATION
c.  the Director-General can exempt specific airlines from the self-isolation and testing
obligations if an airline can demonstrate compliance with the Standards
d.  airlines must consult with the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on any proposals to
change safety protocols for their routes, and advise us when changes are made.

Our recommendations will enable the Director-General to designate routes for which
airline’s compliance with the Standards must be assessed, and to exempt airlines and
aircrew from the isolation and testing obligations where they can demonstrate
compliance. If we are advised of changes that may affect compliance, we may make
changes to any exemption granted.

The recommendations will mean we only impose obligations on New Zealand-domiciled
aircrew where it is justified and necessary to address the public health risk (of them
contracting COVID-19 and transmitting it into the community). Although AirNZ is the
only airline to which the recommendations would currently apply, the Air Border Order
would be worded in such a way as to apply the obligations, and provide for exemptions
from them, to other airlines in due course.
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If agreed, we will make the amendments to the Air Border Order along with the
amendments proposed in our paper to you of 11 May 2021 [HR 20210235 refers]. These
are scheduled for delivery in late July/early August 2021.

1 We will work with the Parliamentary Counsel Office on the appropriate term for the provisions.
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Addressing the risk of charter, private and long-haul flights

We have also identified an existing risk associated with New Zealand-domiciled aircrew
returning on charter and private flights. These aircrew are currently exempt from
isolation and quarantine unless they are returning from a HRR. They are currently treated
in the same way as aircrew on regularly-scheduled international air services. Our 11 May
report identified the need to clarify the definition of New Zealand-domiciled crew to
help address this risk [HR 20210235 refers].

Before charter and private flight New Zealand-domiciled aircrew are exempted from self-
isolation and testing requirements we want to be able to assess their compliance with
the Standards. We also want to assess any new route started by AirNZ or another airline
with New Zealand-domiciled aircrew.

To enable this to happen, we recommend the Director-General designate all long-haul
(over six hours) international routes as routes requiring assessment. In the short term,
they will be called higher-risk routes. Once changes to the Air Border Order are made,
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their title will change. Of note, we will ensure that QFT Carrier flights are not disrupted
by this proposal.
Removing the HRR obligations for AirNZ only
27.
We have already undertaken a detailed public health review of AirNZ’s compliance with
the Standards and they have demonstrated compliance across all their long-haul
international routes. They have implemented the Standards and mitigated
INFORMATION  the risk of
their New Zealand-domiciled aircrew contracting and transmitting COVID-19.
28.
For this reason, we recommend exempting New Zealand-domiciled aircrew on AirNZ’s
regularly-scheduled international air services from the isolation and testing obligations.
This is discussed in detail below and an exemption for your signature is attached at
Appendix One.
29.
Ministerial exemptions from the obligations will be required until the Air Border Order is
amended (providing the recommended new powers to the Director-General). However,
as AirNZ is the only airline with New Zealand-domiciled aircrew we expect that this will
be the only time such an exemption is necessary.
30.
We recommend the exemption is made expeditiously since, from a NZBORA perspective,
the isolation and quarantine requirements currently impose obligations on the affected
aircrew that are no longer necessary from a public health perspective. Los Angeles and
San Francisco were designated as HRR as both AirNZ and Ministry officials were
concerned about aircrew contracting COVID-19 and were not reassured that AirNZ could
meet the Standards. At the time the designation was made, the accommodation at these
two layovers was unsatisfactory.
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31.
AirNZ has made changes to accommodation arrangements in Los Angeles and San
Francisco. It has also purchased dedicated crew lanes and enhanced personal protective
equipment (PPE) PPE requirements for transit through the airport terminals.
AirNZ’s risk management approach to all long-haul routes
32.
AirNZ has advised Ministry officials that they take a risk management-based approach to
minimise the risk to New Zealand and to the health, safety and wellbeing of aircrew
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operating all long-haul routes. Each route has a risk assessment and risk treatment
framework. These frameworks are controlled by the airline’s Airline Pandemic Action
Group (APAG).
33.
The APAG meets fortnightly to regularly review and update the existing risk assessments,
considering any feedback and information received from aircrew, along with contracted
intelligence and procurement companies. In updating the risk assessments, APAG
considers the entire aircrew journey; from departure, in-flight, during layover and return
to New Zealand.
AirNZ’s risk treatment framework for all long-haul routes
34.
AirNZ has provided the Ministry with the risk treatment framework which is in place for
all its long-haul routes (summarised at Appendix Two). Its risk mitigations cover the
crew’s in-flight protocols and practices, and those during layover including travel
through airport terminals, and to and from aircrew accommodation. Mitigations cover
protocols at aircrew accommodation in the following destinations:
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a.  San Francisco
b.  Los Angeles
c.  Narita
d.  Seoul
e.  Hong Kong
INFORMATION
f.  Guangzhou
g.  Shanghai.
35.
For all flights, both aircrew and passengers wear masks. Crew wear gloves when serving
food and drinks and physical distancing is practiced. Crew and passengers use different
toilets when practicable and hygiene protocols are followed.
36.
There are different layover protocols for each route which are influenced, in some cases,
by controls imposed by the relevant authorities in-country. For example, in China aircrew
are escorted to a hotel room and are prohibited from leaving. Although they differ by
route, officials are assured that the layover risk is mitigated for all routes.
AirNZ’s vaccination rates
37.
AirNZ have advised that most of its aircrew have been vaccinated. As at 19 April 2021, it
advised that 84% of long-haul pilots and 79% of long-haul cabin crew had at least one
dose, and have consented to share their data with AirNZ. The number of aircrew who
have received two doses were 77% and 74% respectively. AirNZ notes that they expect,
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as of this date, the rates will be even higher.
38.
All AirNZ New Zealand-domiciled crew are required to have regular COVID-19
surveillance testing which under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required
Testing) Order (the Testing Order) must occur, at a minimum, every seven days. AirNZ is
considering a simplified testing regime which it may introduce, in consultation with staff
and with the Minister. This will attempt to ensure testing obligations are met for all staff
are subject to different provisions in the Testing Order.
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39.
We note that only three returning New Zealand-based aircrew have tested positive for
COVID-19. All were picked up by surveillance testing. None resulted in community
transmission. This speaks to the success of AirNZ ‘s risk management approach. AirNZ’s
approach, and our work with them, sets a solid foundation for decision-making if new
routes are established by AirNZ or another airline.
Implications for self-isolation and the AirNZ self-isolation hotel
40.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has recently briefed you on
funding arrangements for the AirNZ self-isolation hotel. It will be government-funded
until 30 June 2021. After this date, AirNZ will assume responsibility for the costs of the
hotel or any other self-isolation arrangements. Self-isolation arrangements generally are
not part of MBIE’s managed isolation and quarantine regime.
41.
If the recommendations in this paper are agreed, it may be that the AirNZ hotel is not
needed after 30 June 2021. The need for New Zealand-domiciled crew to self-isolate or
be quarantined is expected to rare and will be managed on a case-by-case basis using
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existing powers in the Air Border Order. However, our 11 May paper includes a proposal
that the Director-General can designate a place of self-isolation and direct aircrew to
self-isolate in that place which will provide flexibility for the future if this changes. The
airline that was subject to any such arrangements would be responsible for their costs.
Mechanism for making the proposed amendments
42.
INFORMATION

If our recommendations are agreed, amendments will be made to the Air Border Order
issued under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 (the Act). Drafting
instructions will be issued to Parliamentary Counsel Office to give effect to the
recommendations, including any associated consequential, minor and technical
amendments.
43.
The Director-General will designate the routes, and these will be notified in the New
Zealand Gazette. Officials will work on a repeatable process that will enable AirNZ and
other airlines to have their compliance with the Standards assessed. Where found to be
compliant, the Director-General may then exempt them from the isolation and
quarantine requirement.
44.
Under section 15(4) of the Act, to make an amendment to an Order, you must:
a.  have had regard to advice from the Director-General of Health about the risks of
the outbreak or spread of COVID-19, and the nature and extent of measures that
are appropriate to address those risks
b.  have had regard to any decision by the Government on the level of public health
measures appropriate to respond to those risks and avoid, mitigate or remedy the
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effect of the outbreak or spread of COVID-19
c.  be satisfied that the amendment does not limit, or is a justified limit on, the rights
and freedoms in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA)
d.  have consulted the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of
Health, and any other Minister thought fit
e.  be satisfied that the amendment is appropriate to achieve the purpose of the Act.
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Justification for making the proposed amendments
Public health justifications
45.
COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease which may be spread by people who are not
showing symptoms. The risk presented by the virus provides the justification for taking
significant measures to identify potential cases of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of any
transmission in New Zealand and overseas.
46.
You are receiving ongoing advice about the risks associated with COVID-19. In
accordance with section 9(2) of the Act, you may have regard to that advice without it
being repeated in this briefing. However, any specific and relevant public health
justification(s) for the proposed amendments are set out in this briefing.
Consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990
47.
The power to make an amendment to an Order under sections 9 and 11 of the Act must
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be exercised consistently with NZBORA. Officials have had regard to this obligation and
our advice on the proposals that engage NZBORA rights is set out below.
48.
In undertaking our NZBORA assessment, we have considered what the Air Border Order
and the proposed recommendations are trying to achieve – their objective. The order,
HRR and the controls on airlines and aircrew are part of a bespoke legal framework for
managing the public health risks posed by COVID-19. They support the Government’s
Elimination Strategy and have the purpose of preventing COVID-19 reaching and being
INFORMATION
transmitted in our community. We have also considered the affected individual or
individuals. The Air Border Order and associated controls reduce the risk that New
Zealand-domiciled aircrew will catch COVID-19 themselves.
49.
The NZBORA rights that are engaged in the obligations resulting from HRR designations
are associated with the requirement to self-isolate and undergo testing. They include:
a.  the right to refuse medical treatment
b.  freedom of expression
c.  freedom of peaceful assembly
d.  freedom of association
e.  freedom of movement
f.  liberty of the person (against arbitrary detention)
g.  respect and dignity in detention.
50.
The recommendations to remove the HRR designations for AirNZ will lessen the impact
on the rights of affected New Zealand-domiciled ai
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will have a positive impact.
51.
The recommendations will extend the HRR obligations to charter and private, and non-
AirNZ New Zealand-domiciled aircrew. This is because we cannot not have certainty that
these aircrew are observing the same safety standards as aircrew on AirNZ flights which
are scheduled international air services, or on QFT fights. For this reason, officials
consider there are no alternatives to this recommendation, and the obligations and
restrictions on individual rights remain justified for public health reasons.
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Consultation with Ministers
52.
Prior to making an Order under section 11 and 15 of the Act, you are required to consult
with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health, and any other
Ministers you see fit. Subject to your agreement, officials will further consult with key
government agencies on the draft amendments, and then provide you with a briefing
detailing the Air Border Order amendments for Ministerial consultation. This will be done
in combination with the proposals to amendment the Air Border Order in our health
report of 11 May 2021 [HR 20210235 refers].
Consultation and engagement on these proposals
53.
Officials have consulted with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Treasury,
the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justice and Transport, MBIE, the New Zealand
Customs Service and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on these proposals. There is broad
support for the proposals.
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54.
Officials have also engaged with AirNZ, Qantas, Jetstar, the Board of Airline
Representatives New Zealand (BARNZ) and New Zealand Airports. Feedback has been
incorporated into the paper as appropriate.
55.
AirNZ would like the change to the routes to occur as soon as is possible as it will have a
positive impact for the organisation and for the affected aircrew. We acknowledge this
and it is reflected in our advice. AirNZ noted the toll of the isolation and testing
requirements on aircrew including psychological wellbeing, physical isolation and lack of
INFORMATION
exercise opportunity, and time away from family). A similar point was made by the CAA.
56.
Transport and AirNZ engaged with Etū Union and we have provided feedback to them
via Transport. We note that a proposal in our 11 May paper will reinforce the obligations
on airlines to support their staff to comply with the Standards. This was a key point
made by the Union. BARNZ sought assurance that a robust and repeatable process was
in place for all airlines (which will be the case). It also noted that using the term higher-
risk route may lead to a general concern about the risk associated with these long-haul
routes along with confusion with the very high risk country provisions.
Implementation
57.
The Ministry will continue to work with government agencies, AirNZ, Qantas and other
relevant stakeholders to ensure that any agreed recommendations are implemented,
and Air Border Order obligations are continuing to be complied with.
Next steps
58.
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Officials will continue to work with key stakeholders to identify improvements to the Air
Border Order to ensure consistency with our Elimination Strategy. The improvement
process is constant. It will result in further advice on the order and routes being
consulted on, and provided to you, in the future.
ENDS.
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Appendix One: Exemption for AirNZ New Zealand-domiciled aircrew
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INFORMATION
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Exemption of specified aircrew members from clause 22 of the
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No 2)
2020
Pursuant to clause 26 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No
2) 2020 (“Order”), I, Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister for COVID-19 Response, having taken
into account the advice of the Director-General of Health, declare that the following class of
persons are exempt from the application of clause 22 and (to the extent it refers to that clause)
clause 21(2)(b) of the Order:
Any specified crew member who—
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(a)
arrives in New Zealand on an aircraft undertaking a flight operated by Air New
Zealand Limited as part of a scheduled international air service (within the meaning of
section 87A of the Civil Aviation Act 1990); and
(b)
has travelled on a higher-risk route within the 7 days immediately before arriving in
New Zealand, but only on an aircraft undertaking a flight operated by Air New Zealand
Limited as part of a scheduled international air service. INFORMATION
This exemption is subject to the condition that a suitably qualified health practitioner
responsible for the medical examination and testing of the aircrew member under clause 8(2)
is satisfied that the member is at a low risk of having or transmitting COVID-19.
This exemption does not apply—
(a) if the aircrew member arrives in New Zealand on an aircraft undertaking a QFT flight; or
(b) in the circumstances set out in clauses 23 to 25.

The exemption will begin at 11.59pm on

2021.
Dated at Wellington this th day of
2021.
HON CHRIS HIPKINS, Minister for COVID-19 Response.

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Appendix Two: Risk mitigations – Air New Zealand routes
Risk mitigations
Route:
Airport
Transport to and from hotel
Hotel
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Los Angeles, United States
•  Personal protective equipment
•  Separate, private transport
•  Air New Zealand contracted hotel
(PPE) – surgical mask, gloves, eye  •  Drivers wearing PPE
•  Separate check-in area not accessed
Duration of layover: 1 to 3 nights
protection (goggles or visor)
•  Contract with transport provider
by other hotel patrons, with
•  Dedicated private arrival /
detailing cleaning specifications
contactless key pick-up
departure track through terminal
•  Contract with provider details
(no public contact)
cleaning specifications
•  Aircrew maintain physical
•  Isolate in room
distancing
•  Room service or contactless food
INFORMATION
•  Aircrew manage their own
drop off.
luggage
•  Only allowed to exercise within the
hotel complex and where there are
no other people
•  Not allowed to use gyms, swimming
pools or shared exercise equipment
•  Socialisation only in a crew room,
not in any common or public area
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL

Briefing: HR 20211057

Risk mitigations
Route:
Airport
Transport to and from hotel
Hotel
San Francisco, United States
•  PPE – surgical mask, gloves, eye
•  Separate, private transport
•  Air New Zealand contracted hotel
protection (goggles or visor)
•  Drivers wearing PPE
•  Separate check-in area
ACT 1982
Duration of layover: 1 to 3 nights
•  Dedicated crew channel and as
•  Contract with transport provider
•  Contract with provider details
this is a cargo flight, there is
detailing cleaning specifications
cleaning
interaction with low numbers of
•  Isolate in room
people and low foot traffic
•  Room service or contactless food
volume in airport
drop off.
•  Aircrew maintain physical
•  Only allowed to exercise within the
distancing
hotel complex and where there are
•  Aircrew manage their own
no other people
luggage
INFORMATION  •  Not allowed to use gyms, swimming
pools or shared exercise equipment
•  Socialisation only in a crew room,
not in any common or public area
Narita, Japan
•  PPE – surgical mask and gloves
•  Separate, private transport
•  Air New Zealand contracted hotel
•  Use standard corridor through
•  Drivers wearing PPE
•  Separate check-in area not used by
Duration of layover: One night
airport – however, no other
•  Contract with transport provider
the public
flights arriving or leaving at
detailing cleaning specifications
•  Contract with provider details
same time – so very quiet at
cleaning
airport
•  Isolate in room
•  Aircrew maintain physical
•  Room service or contactless food
distancing
drop off.
•  Aircrew manage their own
•  Allowed to exercise within the hotel
luggage
complex and in the park area
surrounding the hotel where there
are no other people
•  Socialisation-dedicated crew only
area in hotel which cannot be used
if other crews are there
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL

Briefing: HR 20211057

Risk mitigations
Route:
Airport
Transport to and from hotel
Hotel
Shanghai, China
•  PPE – surgical mask and gloves
•  Government controlled separate
•  Govt controlled hotel
•  Escorted through the terminal by
transport - escorted
•  Escorted to rooms – no key –
ACT 1982
Duration of layover: One night
country officials
•  Drivers wearing full PPE
unable to leave room once in
•  Aircrew are tested on arrival
•  Controlled food supply in room
•  Aircrew maintain physical
distancing
•  Aircrew manage their own
luggage
Guangzhou, China
•  PPE – surgical mask and gloves
•  Government controlled separate
•  Govt controlled hotel
•  Escorted through the terminal by
transport – escorted
•  Escorted to rooms – no key –
INFORMATION
Duration of layover: up to five
country officials
•  Drivers wearing full PPE
unable to leave room once in
days
•  Aircrew are tested on arrival
•  Controlled food supply in room
•  Aircrew maintain physical
distancing
•  Aircrew manage their own
luggage
Hong Kong, China
•  PPE – surgical mask and gloves
•  Government controlled transport
•  Govt controlled hotel
•  Use standard corridor through
to testing centre and back –
•  Escorted to rooms – no key –
Duration of layover: 1 to 3 nights
airport – however, very few other
separate from other airlines to
unable to leave room once in
flights arriving or leaving at
testing but may share transport
•  Controlled food supply in room
same time – so very quiet at
with other airlines on way back
airport
(but all test negative on return)
•  Escorted through the terminal by
•  Private crew transport to hotel
country officials
•  Drivers wearing PPE
•  Aircrew are tested on arrival
•  Transport cleaning specifications
•  Aircrew maintain physical
distancing
•  Aircrew manage their own
luggage
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL

Briefing: HR 20211057

Risk mitigations
Route:
Airport
Transport to and from hotel
Hotel
Incheon, Korea
•  PPE – surgical mask, gloves, eye
•  Separate, private transport
•  Govt controlled hotel
protection (goggles or visor)
•  Drivers wearing PPE
•  Unable to leave room
ACT 1982
Duration of layover: 1 night
•  Separate crew lane through
•  Contract with transport provider
•  Room service
airport
detailing cleaning specifications
•  Aircrew are tested on arrival
•  Aircrew maintain physical
distancing
•  Aircrew manage their own
luggage

INFORMATION
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL

Briefing: HR 20211057