We have received feedback from several providers that staff are being stopped at the borders and prevented from traveling out of Auckland in order to undertake urgent essential services.

There are exemptions that do apply (see below) however they are very constraining. They do however cover those who are employed or contracted to provide services on court and correction facilities, KiwiRail facilities and organisations supporting critical infrastructure that maintain public health and safety.

If you have staff servicing customers that fall within these exemptions, we suggest that they carry this documentation with them and produce at the border controls.

There is also the ability to apply for exemptions for other reasons however reports indicate a minimum one week turn-around.

The NZSA will apply for an industry exemption based on the need to provide essential services however we are not confident that we will receive a response before the current restrictions are reviewed.

See www.covid19.govt.nz for Auckland travel restrictions.

Keep safe.

From the NZSA team.