As the New Zealand government implements its Covid-19 protection framework starting off with the traffic light system, it is simultaneously considering options to lower restrictions and put in place protocols as it proceeds toward opening its international borders.
However, several questions as regards international travel remain unanswered at this point in time.
The government is still working on both its digital domestic and international vaccine certificate/ vaccine passport, with the domestic certificate due for launch sometime this month. According to the official Covid-19 website, from late November 2021, everyone in NZ will be able to access a digital vaccination certificate.
New Zealanders will be required to use the certificates in the same way as Covid-19 Tracer App. Under the Government's new traffic light system, it would be required to scan the QR codes on the vaccine certificates almost everywhere one goes – be it events, restaurants or retail stores.
But there is no word yet from the government if its Ministry of Health will issue vaccine certificates to incoming residents who have been double vaccinated while overseas.
When Indian Weekender queried the Ministry of Health on how people who got their vaccine overseas would get their vaccine certificate, it responded saying the process and procedures surrounding how overseas Covid-19 vaccination can be recorded in NZ’s Covid-19 Immunisation Register (CIR) as well as who is eligible for a NZ-issued Covid-19 vaccination certificate are still being worked out.
Decision expected ‘in due course’
A ministry spokesperson said, “As Covid-19 vaccination programmes roll out globally we are aware that many returning New Zealanders may have received their Covid-19 vaccinations overseas. We understand that many people are keen for the vaccinations to be entered into their personal health record and be recognised in the national vaccination tally and that some are asking about whether they may be able to be issued with a New Zealand Covid-19 vaccination certificate for international travel, or the domestic vaccination certificate when these becomes available later this month.
“There are several issues to work through to determine how overseas Covid-19 vaccination can be recorded in New Zealand's Covid-19 Immunisation Register (CIR). This includes what form of proof of prior vaccination would be required, who would check that documentation, who would enter it into the CIR, and what the policy rules will be for who is eligible for a New Zealand-issued Covid-19 vaccination certificate. Officials are working through these issues and decisions on the appropriate policies and processes will be made in due course.”
Sources at the Indian High Commission in Wellington told Indian Weekender that High Commission officials were in touch with the Ministry of Health and were providing all information and consultation regarding the vaccine and certification regime in India to help facilitate its decision of travellers coming in from India.
The High Commission is also working toward the NZ government reviewing India’s continued inclusion in the “high risk” countries list. The United Kingdom, the United States and most of Europe are accepting fully vaccinated Indian travellers into their countries without quarantine and with full recognition of digital, QR-coded vaccine certificates issued by the Government of India.
Uncertainty a cause of stress
The uncertainty is causing anxiety and stress to those who got vaccinated abroad and have now travelled to NZ or are in the process of doing so. Rajpreet Singh, an Indian national who got both doses of Covishield (The AstraZeneca vaccine brand manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII)), while he was visiting India recently, He got his first dose on 18 June and the second on 19 July 2021. He has certificates of both his doses, issued by the Government of India. And he travelled back to NZ on 24 September.
Now, with the vaccination certificates soon to be a necessity in NZ, Rajpreet is unsure about how he would get his. “I am fully vaccinated but didn’t get jabbed in NZ. So how will I get my vaccine certificate? The vaccine I got Covishield is acceptable by the NZ government but I don't know how the vaccine certificate thing will work for someone like me who got Covid-19 vaccine overseas. I am quite stressed about it," says the 38-year-old.
He adds, “I have already informed my GP about my vaccine and sent them my certificates to update in my record. But I don’t know when and how will I get my vaccine certificate in NZ.”
It may be noted that if you are not a NZ citizen, you need to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 before flying to New Zealand as of 1 November 2021.
This means that you need to have had a full course of a Covid-19 vaccine that is accepted at the border for entry into NZ. Vaccines accepted at the border are not necessarily NZ government approved vaccines for use in NZ. So far, Pfizer is the Covid-19 vaccine approved by Cabinet for use in NZ. Moreover, you need to have had the last dose at least 14 days before you arrive in NZ.
If you have been fully vaccinated you will need a digital vaccine passport or another form of document from a government health authority or approval authority confirming you have had a full Covid-19 vaccine course.
If you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, you must have an electronic or paper medical certificate from a medical practitioner that says you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. If you have an exemption, you must have an electronic paper copy of the exemption letter from the Director-General of Health.
Even if you are vaccinated, you still need to have a negative pre-departure test result and stay in MIQ — unless you are exempt. Starting mid-November, the quarantine period is being reduced to seven days from the current 14.