KEY POINTS
• Effective from midnight Sunday, all travellers, except for those coming from the Pacific islands, will have to self-isolate for 14 days on their arrival to New Zealand
• The PM says the rules are the toughest in the world
• She told New Zealanders not to travel overseas if they don’t have to and issued stark advice: no hugs, hongi or handshakes
• All cruise ships have been banned to NZ until June 30
• There will also be further announcements on mass gatherings

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced all travellers will have to self-isolate on their arrival to New Zealand, apart from those coming from the Pacific Islands.

She said the measures – in effect as of midnight Sunday – include New Zealanders.

Australia implements similar measures.

Cruise ship arrivals will also be banned for at least 30 days, Scott Morrison announced on 15 March Sunday, amid escalating efforts to contain the virus. “We will impose a universal compulsory self-isolation requirement on all international arrivals to Australia effective from midnight.