COVID-19 update for Southland tourism sector

Tēnā Koutou,

Please find below the updated details of the temporary accommodation service number, the latest list of camping grounds across Southland that have indicated they are open for visitors during the lockdown period and a range of other useful information and resources.

We will continue to keep you updated with information as it comes to hand. Please stay home, stay safe and look after yourself.

Ngā mihi
Bobbi Brown
Great South GM Tourism and Events

Visitors still in New Zealand

Statistics NZ has released information using international travel data estimating approximately 250,000 visitors (with varying visas) are still in New Zealand. Of this number, approximately 69,700 are considered holiday visitors excluding Australian visitors.  We hope most Australians managed to get home.  These visitors will require some form of Duty of Care from Government.
 
MBIE is currently working on a Duty of Care Plan for those visitors stranded and hope to release in the next few days. 

Immigration NZ update

Due to Alert Level 4 being implemented and a declaration of a national civil defence emergency, all visitor, temporary, working or working holiday visas have been extended to late September 2020. Find more information on the following visas below

• Temporary visas
• Workers holding a temporary visa
• Travel to / from Pacific Islands
• Entry restriction exemptions

What do stranded visitors do?

With New Zealand now at Alert level 4 and effectively in lockdown, it is critical that any visitors left in NZ, that do not have any flights booked to their home countries in the next 24-48 hours,  contact their Embassy, Consulate or High Commission in New Zealand. They need to register with home country government agency so when opportunities arise for repatriation, the Embassy, Consulate or High Commission has them on their registers. Further information on the temporary accommodation scheme available in New Zealand can be found below. 

Temporary accommodation scheme

The temporary accommodation scheme is run through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. If you know of visitors who need to self-isolate for the lockdown period and have not found suitable accommodation, ask them to call temporary accommodation service to register for accommodation support. 

0508 754 163

After registering,  a temporary accommodation staff member will assess the needs of the visitor and work with them to find suitable, temporary self-isolation accommodation. There will be a cost for temporary accommodation, and it is not income or asset tested. New Zealand citizens, or residents on a low income or benefit, may be eligible for support (international visitors may also be eligible).

Please be advised that this number only operates between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Southland holiday park and camping ground availability 

Please find below the updated list of holiday parks and camping grounds across Southland that have indicated that will be able to accommodate visitors during the lockdown period. It is requested that visitors call to enquire first. 

Advice from UK Government for visitors stranded in NZ

If you are aware of visitors that cannot return to UK, the government is in contact with airlines, foreign governments and local authorities to ensure British people travelling abroad can return to the UK as soon as possible. If visitors are unable to leave at this time, they should:

• follow the advice of local authorities, including local measures to help minimise your risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19)
• find suitable accommodation
• keep up-to-date with our travel advice and the latest information from transport providers and local authorities on your departure options
• keep in regular contact with family and friends at home, so they know you are safe and well

Visitors must follow the advice of local authorities as their safety and security is the responsibility of the local authority, and are recommended to keep in touch with their international embassy

Airline information

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand is adjusting its international network to match demand and government travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline will operate a limited international network from 30 March to 31 May 2020 to enable essential travel and to keep air freight moving through key cargo corridors to North America and Asia. Overall, international capacity will reduce by 95 per cent from pre-COVID-19 levels. Domestic services into Auckland will be scheduled to allow travellers to connect onto Tasman and Pacific routes.

Qatar airline

Qatar Airline is still operating until 15 April 2020, most other airlines stop services on the 28th or 29th March

Airfare refund information

An article that provides information on refunds or credits on an airline basis.  You need to scroll quite a way down the article to see refund information from each airline

COVID-19 resources

There are a range of resources and digital assets available on the COVID-19 website, including learning what can be done to unite against the virus and slow its spread. You can also keep up to date with the Unite against COVID-19 Facebook page and Instagram page