Business Events
  1. Hamilton and Waikato

COVID-19 - Important Information

At 12pm on Wednesday 12th August 2020 the Waikato region moved to Covid-19 Alert Level 2, the same alert level as the rest of the country aside from Auckland which is currently at Alert Level 3.

Below is a summary of what this means for people residing in or visiting the region. For full up-to-date information please visit www.covid19.govt.nz 

At Alert Level 2, everyone can still go to work and school, but you should:

  • keep your distance from other people in public
    • 2 metres in public and in retail stores, like supermarkets and clothes shops.
    • 1 metre in most other environments like workplaces, cafes, restaurants, and gyms
  • wash your hands
  • sneeze and cough into your elbow
  • keep a track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen
  • wear a mask if you can.

Travel

Travel within and to other Level 2 regions can occur. When travelling you must:

  • keep records of what travel services you use and who you have been in contact with
  • keep your distance from groups of people you don’t know
  • minimise the number of places you stop on the way to your destination

Most public spaces such as museums and hospitality venues remain open at Level 2. These facilities must adhere to the guidelines set out for businesses and tourism operators at Alert Level 2.

Controls at the borders remain for those entering New Zealand, including health screening and testing for all arrivals, and mandatory test for COVID-19 and 14-day managed quarantine or isolation. 

For the most-up-to-date information about Level 2 guidelines please visit www.covid19.govt.nz 

Information for the Tourism Industry

These are unprecedented times for our visitor sector. Our region has been significantly impacted across all areas – international visitor arrivals, corporate business events and travel, major events and all businesses who serve the visitor economy (hospitality, accommodation, retail, transport, venues and tourism operators).

Learn the steps you can take to unite for recovery. Find out what help is available and get the latest updates by visiting https://www.uniteforrecovery.govt.nz/business-work-and-money/business/

TIA have also developed some useful documents for tourism businesses operating at Alert Level 2

https://tia.org.nz/assets/d8d8ca2691/V2-Alert-level-2-operational-guidance-for-tourism-activities.pdf (activities)

https://tia.org.nz/assets/d2adc260a5/Alert-L2-operational-guidance-for-tourism-activities-v2.pdf (accommodation)

Information for Visitors and Travellers

New Zealand’s border is closed to most travellers and entry is strictly controlled. All arrivals are tested for COVID-19 and a 14-day managed quarantine or isolation is mandatory. New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and residents with valid travel conditions returning to New Zealand do not need approval from Immigration New Zealand before travelling.

If you are an overseas visitor, consider returning home as soon as you are able to. You can use international air services to travel home. There may, however, be limited commercial options available. If you're unable to secure a ticket, please contact your country embassy.

Visas

Visitors and Travellers are responsible for understanding how to meet the conditions of their visa in New Zealand at all times. Many work, student and visitor visa holders already in New Zealand have had their visa expiry dates extended. If you are concerned about your visa details or you have not received a notification, you can confirm your visa expiry date and conditions by using the Visa Verification Service on Immigration New Zealand website or the INZ contact centre. 

Find more information on travel visa here: www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/coronavirus-update-inz-response

For more information visit www.uniteforrecovery.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border/

International flights

Air New Zealand is operating reduced domestic and international schedules. Please check the Air NZ website for further details, or check with your preferred airline.

Check here for more information for international visitors and tourists returning home.

What you need to know

Controls at the borders remain for those entering New Zealand, including health screening and testing for all arrivals, and mandatory 14-day managed quarantine or isolation and test for COVID-19. More information here: www.uniteforrecovery.govt.nz/covid-19/international-travel-advice

Where you can find help

If you have develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath, phone Healthline’s dedicated COVID-19 number 0800 358 5453 or contact your GP (you must phone ahead of your visit).

If you are too unwell to travel then phone 111 for an ambulance.

Waikato DHB has set up Community Based Assessment Centres throughout the Waikato. These centres are for assessment and testing if you have symptoms of COVID-19. The centres are open every day.

Find more information and Community Based Assessment Centres locations here: www.waikatodhb.health.nz/your-health/covid-19-in-waikato/cbac/

See the latest health information, advice and updates;

  • The Ministry of Health advice is here
  • New Zealand Government information is available here
  • Hamilton City Council’s updates are available here
  • Waikato District Council’s updates are available here
Keep up to date Subscribe to our Newsletter
Chinese Website 中文网站
Connect With Us

Copyright © 2020 Hamilton and Waikato Tourism