Web page content as at 7 October.pdf

Web page content as at 7 October (also numbers of EOI on News page)
1) https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-zealand/self-isolation-pilot/

Self-Isolation Pilot
Self-isolation is part of the Government’s 'Reconnecting New
Zealanders' plan for re-opening borders and allowing more people to
visit and return home to New Zealand without the requirement to enter
into MIQ. The Self-Isolation Pilot will test some of the systems and
processes that would be needed to roll out self-isolation more widely.
On this page
•  About the Self-Isolation Pilot
•  Key dates for the pilot
•  Who can apply
•  How to apply
About the Self-Isolation Pilot
In August 2021, the Government endorsed an approach that would introduce low, medium and high-
risk pathways for inbound travellers based on their COVID-19 risk under the ’Reconnecting New
Zealanders with the World’ plan.
The Self-Isolation Pilot is an important next step in supporting the creation of new pathways which
will, in future, allow more people to visit and return home to New Zealand without the requirement to
enter MIQ.  Running the pilot will allow us to test some aspects of operational readiness and identify
areas where further work is required to scale up the approach and expand in the future.
This pilot is for a small number of travellers required to travel internationally for business purposes
who will return to New Zealand and undertake self-isolation on arrival in Auckland or Christchurch.
The pilot has been approved for up to 150 people. Numbers and locations are limited to ensure the
health workforce and MIQ systems and staff have the capacity to establish, manage and complete the
pilot successfully. This limited number will be spread out over the six-week arrival period of the pilot.

Ke

y dates for the pilot
•  EOI process goes live: 9am Thursday 30 September 2021
•  EOI process closes: 5pm Saturday 9 October 2021
•  Selected applicants will be advised if they are in the pilot (subject to providing verification
and appropriate self-isolation plan) by Friday 15 October 2021
•  Final approval of participants: at least 1 week before departure
•  Arrival period into New Zealand: Saturday 30 October to Wednesday 8 December 2021
•  Final travellers exit self-isolation after 14 days: 22 December 2021
Who can apply
The pilot is primarily aimed at travellers required to travel internationally from New Zealand for
business purposes. This also includes sole traders.
The pilot will also allow travel for a small number of Ministers and Officials attending overseas events
as New Zealand government delegates.
On return to New Zealand, these travellers will be required to self-isolate at an approved location for
14 days.
Employers cannot use the pilot to bring in their employees who are based overseas. The pilot is for
travellers who depart from and return to New Zealand after a short trip.
How to apply
Participants will be selected through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process.  As an employer, you
will need to apply on behalf of your employees.
Employers will need to carefully check eligibility criteria. Once satisfied that they can meet the criteria,
they can submit an EOI.
The EOI process is open from 9am Thursday 30 September 2021 to 5pm Saturday 9 October 2021.
Check the eligibility criteria and pilot requirements
2): https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-zealand/self-isolation-pilot/eligibility-criteria-and-self-isolation-requirements/
Eligibility criteria and self-isolation
requirements

T
  he eligibility criteria for the Self-Isolation Pilot and accommodation
requirements to help you plan for your self-isolation.
On this page
•  Eligibility criteria
•  Accommodation requirements
•  Rules for self-isolation
•  Charges
•  COVID-19 testing
•  Monitoring and compliance
•  When can you leave self-isolation?
Eligibility criteria
Note: There are very limited places available in each travel period so there is no guarantee that all
applicants who meet the criteria will be selected to participate in the pilot.
To participate, you or your employees must:
•  be New Zealand citizens (New Zealand passport holder) or holders of a residence class visa
with the right to re-enter New Zealand
•  be making a short trip away from New Zealand for business purposes
•  be vaccinated in New Zealand with two Pfizer vaccinations before leaving New Zealand
•  travel and return from all countries except very high-risk countries
•  present a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of the first scheduled
international flight to New Zealand, unless you are travelling from a country exempted from
that requirement
•  arrive in Auckland or Christchurch directly on an international flight from 30 October 2021 to
8 December 2021
•  if selected, supply a self-isolation plan, which meets all requirements including Ministry of
Health requirements, and verification and supporting evidence such as citizenship/residency,
travel schedules, vaccination, accommodation, reasons for business travel, etc.
Travel restrictions for very high risk countries(external link) – Unite against COVID-19
Travel must be for business purposes only where overseas travel is required, i.e. the work can’t be
done remotely. These purposes could include:
•  commissioning – commission plant, machinery, equipment or technology

•  pi
  tching in person – present in person for a competitive tender, contract or to promote
investment
•  maintenance or training – maintain or to train people to use or maintain plant, machinery,
equipment or technology
•  performance of contracts – perform contractual obligations
•  networking – conference, trade show or for other networking reasons
•  carry out due diligence – for example for an acquisition or to assess a product they intend to
import
•  interviewing – interview/meet key people, such as a market distributor or a new in-market
CEO.
Applications that would not be accepted include:
•  non-work related travel such as leisure travel or travel for personal reasons
•  commercial or business activities that can occur from a remote location and don’t require
overseas travel
•  employees who live overseas and require entry to New Zealand to commence work
•  people travelling from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, as one-way quarantine-free travel from
these countries will start in October.
Accommodation requirements
You can isolate in your home if you usually live in Auckland or Christchurch but you cannot isolate
with family or other household members. If you need to rent accommodation, it must be a private
dwelling. MIQ will transport you from the airport to your accommodation.
Whether it’s your own home or a rented dwelling, the accommodation must:
•  be within a 50km radius (by road) of Christchurch International Airport OR
•  be within a 50km radius (by road) of Auckland International Airport and within the boundary
of Auckland Council; and
•  have no shared ventilation system; and
•  be exclusively occupied by the participant or their travelling party, and
•  have cellular coverage (minimum 3G).
You must plan ahead and have access to everything you may need for your time in isolation including
water, food and medication as you will not be allowed to leave your accommodation unless in an
emergency.
Rules for self-isolation
Participants will be subject to requirements set out in the COVID-19 Public Health Response
(Isolation and Quarantine Order) 2020. These requirements apply even if you have received a
COVID-19 vaccination.

When in self-isolation, you must:
•  remain in your place of self-isolation for at least 14 days. You will not be allowed to leave the
property at any time unless in an emergency or where you are escorted by an authorised
person
•  isolate alone or with other participants in your travelling party. If in a group, you must depart,
return and self-isolate together. You cannot isolate with household members or anybody
else other than those you are travelling with; no family or friends can join you
•  not allow any visitors to enter the premises, aside from medical staff for testing purposes and
emergency or other essential services if required (e.g. fire, ambulance, police, tradespeople
for urgent repairs)
•  provide your own food and supplies (contactless deliveries are allowed)
•  comply with testing and monitoring requirements.
Charges
You or your employer will need to pay for your accommodation if rental property is used, for food and
other personal costs.
You will also be required to pay MIQ a fee of $1000 (incl. GST) per person. This includes costs of
transport and other associated pilot costs.
You will be liable for MIQ fees if you need to enter MIQ because:
•  you fail to comply with self-isolation protocols
•  the pilot is suspended prior to your departure from New Zealand or while you were
overseas.
If you need to enter MIQ because you test positive for COVID-19, you will not be liable for MIQ fees.
Read more about charges for managed isolation
COVID-19 testing
The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border Order) 2020 and the COVID-19 Public Health
Response (Isolation and Quarantine Order) 2020 are applicable to those who are chosen to be part of
the pilot and you must comply with testing requirements, both pre-departure and in self-isolation.
A pre-departure test is mandatory
You will be required to complete pre-departure testing unless you are travelling from a country
exempted from that requirement.

You need to have had both your COVID-19 sample taken and your result returned no more than 72
hours before the scheduled departure time of your first international departure. You must provide the
approved documentation of your negative test result at the airport when you check in for your flight.
If your pre-departure test is positive, airlines will not allow you to board your flight. You will then need
to stay in your overseas location until you receive a negative test. When you have recovered and
have had a negative test, you will be able to travel to New Zealand and will be required to enter an
MIQ facility. You will need to contact us immediately if you receive a positive result so arrangements
can be made.
Testing and health checks on your return to New Zealand
On arrival at the airport, you may have a health screen and a COVID-19 test (Day 0 test).
Once in self-isolation, testing will be similar to what is expected in an MIQ facility.
You are required to be tested even if you show no symptoms. You may also be tested at other times if
you show any of the symptoms of COVID-19, breach conditions of isolation or come in close contact
with somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Welfare checks will also be conducted regularly while you are in self-isolation.
Monitoring and compliance
All participants are required to comply with a compliance and monitoring regime which may include a
smartphone app and/or regular phone-based checks.
More detail will be provided on arrival into the country.
If you do not follow self-isolation requirements
Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Isolation and Quarantine) Order 2020, those breaching
self-isolation rules will be required to enter MIQ – at their own cost – and can be charged with a
criminal offence that carries a penalty of up to $4,000 or up to 6 months’ imprisonment.
When can you leave self-isolation?
You are legally required to stay in your place of isolation for a minimum of 14 days.

In almost all cases, a negative COVID-19 test and confirmation from a health professional that you
are a low risk of having or transmitting COVID-19 are needed before you can go home or end self-
isolation.
Low risk of having or transmitting COVID-19 includes confirming you:
•  have been in self-isolation for at least 14 days
•  do not have a temperature of 38°C or higher or display any other COVID-19 symptoms
•  in almost all cases, tested negative for COVID-19.
Find out about Expression of Interests for this pilot and how to apply
3) https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-zealand/self-isolation-pilot/expressions-of-interest/

Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest (EOI) for business travellers arriving from 30
October to 8 December 2021 is now open.
On this page
•  Expressions of Interest is a 3-step process
•  Key dates for the pilot
•  If your EOI is selected
•  If your EOI is not successful
Each EOI must be completed by the employer and can include up to 3 employees in total. Where
there are 2 or 3 employees included in 1 Expression of Interest, they will be treated as 1 group who
must depart, return and self-isolate together.
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria but still wish to travel, you will need to book a space in MIQ via
the Managed Isolation Allocation System.
Expressions of Interest is a 3-step process
1. Eligibility criteria
Employers will answer a series of questions about their employees which confirm that they are eligible
to participate in the pilot.

2.
   EOI process
If the eligibility criteria are met, employers will be able to submit an Expression of Interest; the
deadline for submissions is 5pm Saturday 9 October 2021.
3. Selection
Once EOIs have closed on Saturday 9 October 2021, all eligible applications will go into a ballot
process. All employers will be contacted by Friday 15 October to let them know whether their EOI has
been provisionally selected for the pilot. Employees will then be contacted directly to request further
information and verification or supporting evidence before participation is confirmed.
Submit your Expression of Interest(external link)
Key dates for the pilot
•  EOI process goes live: 9am Thursday 30 September 2021
•  EOI process closes: 5pm Saturday 9 October 2021
•  Selected applicants will be advised if they are in the  pilot (subject to providing verification
and appropriate self-isolation plan) by Friday 15 October 2021
If your EOI is selected
If your EOI is selected for the ballot, you will receive an email confirming you have been provisionally
accepted for the Self-Isolation Pilot. You will need to provide verification and supporting evidence to
confirm your participation in the pilot.
If selected in the ballot, you/your employee/s will  need to provide:
•  evidence of New Zealand citizenship or residence visa and re-entry permits
•  evidence of Pfizer vaccinations
•  evidence of business reason to travel internationally
•  confirmation of travel schedule
•  details of intended accommodation for approval
•  declaration and consents to allow the pilot to run successfully.
Depending on the number of EOIs submitted, more than 1 ballot may take place.
This will ensure that the process is fair, provides an equal opportunity for all interested businesses
and ensures an even spread across the travel window from 30 October to 8 December 2021.

Note that the number of eligible EOIs in the ballot may far outweigh the available places in the pilot.
Therefore, eligibility does not guarantee selection.
If your EOI is not successful
We will notify everyone who submitted an EOI by Friday 15 October and advise them whether their
EOI has been selected for the pilot. This notification will be sent to the email address provided on your
EOI.