Information on testing requirements for border workers.
Last updated: 23 June 2022
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Testing requirements
Required Testing Order to be revoked from 30 June
Border workers will no longer be required to undergo COVID-19 testing under New Zealand’s public health response to the pandemic, as part of ongoing adjustments to the pandemic response.
Early in the pandemic, when the focus was keeping out cases of COVID-19, ongoing testing of border workers was crucial, as they were a possible gateway for COVID-19 to enter the community, presenting a significant risk to the country. However, as the pandemic moves into its third year, the response strategy has shifted to minimisation and protection, and with widespread community transmission, infection in border workers is no longer seen as a greater risk than infection in the general population.
The Ministry of Health recognises that through regular testing, border workers have played a critical role in the country’s public health response and have provided valuable data to help understand the evolving outbreak. The Ministry would like to thank them for their continued support and commitment to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Guidance manual for border worker testing
The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Order 2020 (RTO) is due to be revoked on 30 June 2022. This guidance is intended to support border PCBUs covered by the RTO to plan for these changes in their workplace.
- Guidance manual for border worker testing (Word, 430 KB)
- Guidance manual for border worker testing (PDF, 315 KB)