New Zealand’s MIQ-free bubble has now opened for fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and residents in Australia. With the prospect of international travel finally back in sight, there are a few new details we need to familiarise ourselves with.

For fully-vaccinated travellers to Aotearoa, the prospect of saying goodbye to mandatory hotel stays is approaching. For nearly two years, managed isolation has been our normal; our international borders have been all but closed and more than 200,000 people have completed stays in MIQ. That’s on track to change – and for some, like those fully vaccinated New Zealand residents and citizens in Australia, it already has. 

So, when exactly will we be able to bypass MIQ?

The phased border reopening began on February 28, starting with quarantine-free travel for vaccinated travellers from Australia. The shift marks a new chapter of the pandemic – one where Covid is very much still a threat, but vaccination has strengthened our defences. Overseas trips won’t just be for emergencies and for those who can afford a stay in MIQ on their return. Soon, leisure will be reason enough to travel.

But pandemic-weary New Zealanders will be seeking peace of mind when they start to plan and book international trips. With Covid still circulating, there’s another layer of complexity that means travel won’t be the same as before. 

Jo McCauley, CEO of Southern Cross Travel Insurance, says travellers need to “prepare for the unexpected. The environment for travel is much more complex to navigate, but I am optimistic about what will occur over 2022. We’ve watched how other countries have started to open up which demonstrates an evolution around how nations are managing Covid risk when it comes to travel.”

Does the New Zealand government advise what destinations are safe?

They do, and it’s really important to stay up-to-date with that information, says McCauley. 

“We always advise that customers go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Safe Travel website. It’s a really great source of advice for any travel advisories that are currently on the country you’re hoping to travel to. They have travel advisories which are at four different levels – level one (exercise normal safety and security precautions) up to level four (do not travel).” 

McCauley says checking the Safe Travel website is an important step to ensuring your travel insurance will pay out if you have a claim in that destination – “with a lot of travel insurance policies, if the travel advisory says to avoid non-essential travel or to not travel to a particular destination, the insurance may not cover for an event related to the reason for the advisory.”

How can we check the rules and measures of the destination we’re travelling to?

It’s important to refer to official guidance and laws, so ditch social media and media reports in favour of the official government website of the country you’re travelling to, or check in with that country’s diplomatic representative in Aotearoa. 

Wait, so Covid cover is possible with travel insurance? 

It is with many travel insurers. But there are a few caveats. Southern Cross Travel Insurance automatically provides a level of cover for all fully vaccinated customers travelling to places that meet Safe Travel’s level one (“exercise normal safety and security precautions”) and two (“exercise increased caution”). They’ll cover Covid-19 medical expenses and some travel amendment costs if you or a relevant person’s trip is affected because of a pre-departure Covid diagnosis, or getting Covid while on your journey. It pays to always read the fine print of your insurance policy document. Luckily, Southern Cross has made theirs easier to digest. “We’ve invested in reviewing and rewriting our travel insurance policies in plain English,” says McCauley. 

What happens if the country I travel to goes into lockdown? Will insurance cover that?

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely. McCauley says Southern Cross doesn’t, and she doesn’t know of any other insurers in New Zealand that cover for lockdowns. “It’s simply because the cost to provide that cover would make insurance unaffordable. Government directives are one of the general exclusions of the policy, and lockdowns are considered to be a government directive.” 

Are travel agents necessary to help navigate pandemic travel?

While it’s possible to book a trip yourself, McCauley says travel agents have been a popular choice during the pandemic. “I do hear that a lot of travellers are using travel agents now to give themselves assurance that they can get guidance and advice on all the rules and regulations.” 

Is vaccination mandatory to travel?

Yes and no. Many airlines are mandating vaccination. Many countries have also mandated vaccination for foreign visitors (including boosters), so despite vaccinations not being mandatory if you’re living in Aotearoa, it’s likely to be required if you want to travel to foreign countries. It is possible that some countries may start to remove and update these restrictions so it’s important to check before departure. While it’s possible to enter Aotearoa as an unvaccinated New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, you’d have to enter MIQ – even when vaccinated travellers do become exempt. 

How do I prove I’m vaccinated?

To get a vaccination certificate for international travel, simply head to the My Covid Record website, sign up or login, then request an International Travel Vaccination Certificate. You can also do this over the phone (just call 0800 222 478) or in-person at a participating pharmacy. 

Are there airline-specific rules?

There are, and this will vary between airlines. Read up on your chosen airline’s policies around Covid. If booking a seat that has space between you and other passengers is important to you, check if your airline automatically spaces people out. If not, you might want to look into paying extra for a roomier seat. Additionally, you’ll more than likely need to wear a mask for the duration of your flight – except for when you’re eating or drinking.

What sort of mask is effective?

Countries vary with their advice, but the consensus is that respirator masks such as N95 and P2 are the most effective. 

Errr… I’ve just dug my passport out of my undies drawer and realised it’s almost expired. What are the rules around this?

To use your passport to exit and enter countries, you legally must have more than six months left before it expires. Check the expiration date before booking your flight. 

Before flying, do I have to get a pre-departure test?

Many places require proof of a negative pre-departure Covid test. Make sure to book an appointment leaving plenty of time to get your results, but within the pre-departure window the destination specifies – this often means getting tested no less than 72 or 48 hours before departure. You’ll also need to be prepared to pay for a test, and they cost up to $180. 

Are there many situations where I wouldn’t need insurance?

“We would always recommend customers get travel insurance at the time they actually commit to any costs,” says McCauley. “Regardless of what’s going on in the world at the moment with Covid, we still have people travelling with us that are requiring our support for unexpected events that have nothing to do with Covid.” 

It’s been almost two years since international travel became a distant dream, but now that possibility seems within sight. Nearly two thirds of New Zealanders are intending to travel overseas in the next two years according to Kantar research commissioned by Southern Cross this year, and while we can’t be certain what the world will look like then, at least we can find some protection when we fly the coop.