In light of the current global and domestic pandemic of COVID-19, the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in New Zealand have made changes to the requirements of pre-departure COVID-19 tests for passengers travelling from New Zealand to China, and these changes will take effect on 1 July 2022.

1.Testing requirement

All passengers flying to China are required to request the health code by providing two negative RT-PCR test results administered within two days. Passengers are required to administer two RT-PCR tests at two different testing facilities, and the sampling for the second test must be administered after 3pm on the day before boarding your scheduled flight to China.  If the two tests have been conducted by the same testing facility, the two tests must be administered with a sampling interval of over 24 hours.

2.Travelling to China

Passengers intending to travel to China through New Zealand from a third country must request the health code from the origin country of departure and the transiting country. As there are no testing facilities available at the Auckland International Airport, passengers may need an entry visa to enter New Zealand and request the health code through the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in New Zealand provided passengers have met the requirement of pre-departure COVID-19 tests set by the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in New Zealand.

3.Special Group

People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have returned a positive RT-PCR test, are required to provide two negative RT-PCR test results (an interval of more than 24 hours between the two tests) as evidence of fully recovered from COVID-19, and request the health code in accordance with the normal requirement provided the Recovery Pre-check has been approved, and have completed the 14-days health monitoring and showing no any symptoms during the period. People identified as close contact, or showing suspect symptoms, or who have returned an equivocal test result, are required to enter a 5-days health monitoring and then request the health code in accordance with the normal requirement provided there are not showing any symptoms during the period.

The current pandemic around the world is still ongoing, and there is still a high risk of getting infected during international travel, people intending to travel to China are advised to check the requirement frequently and make proper travel arrangements. People are due to travel to China must ensure to take good personal protection before and during the journey, make sure to carry out personal health monitoring before travel, and avoid becoming stranded due to tested positive before boarding, or becoming an importation of case after arrival in China, and it may lead flights between China and New Zealand being suspended.

For more details, please refer to the Q&As on Applying for Health Code or Health Declaration Form (July 2022).

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in New Zealand 

Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland           

Chinese Consulate-General in Christchurch