Health and Wellbeing
- If you have flu-like symptoms, please call Healthline immediately on 0800 358 5453. Healthline is a medical service and cannot help you with travel or accommodation.
- People who have or who are suspected of having an infectious or quarantinable disease (i.e. COVID-19) are eligible for funded services relating to the surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and contact tracing services to the extent appropriate to manage the New Zealand’s public health risk. They should contact Healthline in the first instance.
Accommodation
- Some accommodation providers remain open for travellers. If you are not able to travel back to Malaysia and are staying in New Zealand, you must self-isolate in line with the nationwide lockdown which starts at 11.59 pm on Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
- If you cannot find somewhere to stay, you may register with the Temporary Accommodation Service by calling 0508 754 163. After registering, the service will work with you to help you find a temporary place to stay for self-isolation. The Temporary Accommodation Service is a service provided in New Zealand to help people to find temporary accommodation.
Airport Facility
- Do not go to the international airport unless you have a confirmed travel and a valid passport. Auckland International Airport is open only for travellers with a valid passport and confirmed travel booking.
- People can take a domestic flight to transit to an international flight. But they will need confirmed flights through to their destination. Transit points are closing globally. Malaysians are advised not to go to Auckland International Airport unless they have confirmed tickets through to their final destination.
- Despite the level 4 alert, those with confirmed flights to their destination will be permitted to fly domestically in order to transit for their international flight departing Auckland Airport.
How do I get from the airport to where I am staying?
- You may require transport from the airport to get to your home, or other accommodation, where you will self-isolate.
- It is OK to use your own vehicle if you have that at the airport.
- You can only use public transport (taxis, buses, riding sharing services or other public transport) after you arrive in New Zealand, for the SOLE purpose of getting directly to the place where you will self-isolate.
- Where possible while travelling, sit in a window seat, in a row by yourself, to limit contact with others. If you are unwell you should seek advice from Healthline on 0800 358 5453 before travelling further.
- Once you get to your destination, you cannot use public transport again during your 14 day isolation period. However, you can use your own transport (car, bike etc) when required, so long as you continue to isolate yourself from others.
- Please visit https://covid19.govt.nz/help-and-advice/for-travellers/imminent-or-recent-arrivals/ for further details.
Expiring Visa
- Travellers with a temporary (work, student, visitor, interim and limited) visa expiring before 1 April 2020 who are unable to leave New Zealand must apply online for a new visa. An interim visa will be issued to ensure that you are in New Zealand legally while Immigration New Zealand considers your application.
- Travellers with a temporary visa due to expire between 1 April and 9 July 2020 will have their visas extended to late September. Confirmation of extensions will be emailed to all visa holders.
- Immigration New Zealand will be lenient if people are not able to provide all of the specified documentation.
- Further details on immigration matters can be referred at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/coronavirus-update-inz-response.
Useful Contacts
- The High Commission can be contacted via email at mwwellington@kln.gov.my or phone on +64 21 044 0188. Stranded Malaysians who have not contacted the High Commission should email us your (and your travel companion’s) name, passport/IC no., local phone number, current location and your original flight details that was cancelled (flight no., route, date, ETD).
- Please refer to www.covid19.govt.nz for the latest information on COVID-19 in New Zealand.
- Immigration matters including on New Zealand visa can be addressed to Immigration New Zealand on 0508 225 288 (within New Zealand) or +64 9 952 1679 (outside New Zealand).
- There general helpline provided by the New Zealand Government is available on 0800 779 997.
Note: This information is conveyed based on the advices given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand.
This information is current as of 26 March 2020 and is subject to changes from time to time.