New Zealand suspends travel from India

New Zealand has temporarily suspended the entry of travellers arriving from India with effect from Sunday at 0400 GMT and would remain in place until April 28. The suspension is in the wake of surging Covid-19 cases in India.

Wellington/Auckland:New Zealand has temporarily suspended the entry of travellers arriving from India, following a high number of arrivals returning with the virus.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Thursday that the ban would take effect on Sunday at 0400 GMT and would remain in place until April 28.

"I want to emphasize that while arrivals with COVID from India has prompted this measure, we are looking at how we manage high risk points of departure generally. This is not a country specific risk assessment but of course a risk assessment generally to ensure we better manage the number of cases that are coming in from those countries that are experiencing a surge," Ardern said.

She said it was the first time the country had suspended travel for its citizens and residents attempting to return home.

Meanwhile, a security guard at a New Zealand quarantine hotel has tested positive for the coronavirus, although there is no evidence yet that the outbreak has spread any further.

New Zealand has managed to stamp out the spread of the virus, so whenever somebody who is not in quarantine tests positive it represents a significant concern. Health authorities said the person lives alone and carpools to work with a colleague, and that both workers are now in isolation.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the 24-year-old guard had not been vaccinated, and they were doing an urgent repeat test on the worker to get a better understanding of the nature of the infection. New Zealand has been prioritizing border workers for vaccinations.

The nation of five million people has reported 2,500 cases and 26 deaths since the pandemic began.

AP