New Zealand announces ‘no jab, no fly’ policy for Int’l travellers

Wellington: New Zealand flag carrier Sunday announced that it will ask customers to get ready for international travel by getting fully vaccinated against novel coronavirus.

“We’re getting ready to reconnect with the world and letting customers know what they need to do to be ready to take off when we can,” said Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran on Sunday.

 “We’ve been hearing from both customers and employees that this measure is important to them. It came through loud and clear in our recent consultation process with employees and we want to do everything we can to protect them,” said Greg Foran.

“Mandating vaccination on our international flights will give both customers and employees the peace of mind that everyone onboard meets the same health requirements as they do,” Foran added.

As per details, New Zealand’s vaccination requirement from February 2022 will apply to all passengers aged 18 and older arriving or departing the country on the carrier’s aircraft.

The passengers who are not vaccinated will be required to present proof that vaccination was not a viable option for them for medical reasons.

The country has been hugely successful at containing COVID-19 — reporting just 27 deaths in a population of five million.