The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has released some information about transport businesses and workers that will not be subject to travel restrictions.
The information is in response to the Covid-19 Level 4 alert lockdown starting midnight Wednesday, March 25.
The transport ministry says information will be evolving over time but all of the modes of transport “can be used to transport people working in essential services as defined by Covid-19 advisories”.
“Essential workers may be asked while travelling to show who they work for. We encourage, where practicable, essential workers to carry some form of identification to show who they are, who they work for, and their role e.g. business card, letter from their employer or work ID,” MoT says.
1. Land Transport
Private travel (personal vehicles)
People can drive personal vehicles for essential trips e.g. to access groceries or healthcare.
Couples with shared custody of children can move between the two homes – if they are in the same community.
Essential workers can also use their personal vehicle.
Buses and trains
Workers involved in the operation of public transport services – buses and trains e.g.
- Operators
- Drivers
- Enforcement officers
Small passenger services (taxis and ride-share)
Workers involved in the operation of small passenger transport services e.g.
- Small passenger service operator
- Driver
- Total Mobility Scheme providers
Delivery of freight by land
Workers and operators involved in the delivery of road and rail freight e.g.
- Road and Rail Freight Operators and Receivers
- Drivers, including: large trucks and trains, grocery distribution (eg supermarkets and My Food Bag)
- Logistics firms and their contractors
- Courier services and NZ Post
Maintenance services – all modes
Any workers involved in the provision of essential maintenance and safety
services e.g.
- Maintenance and engineering staff
- Vehicle recovery and assistance services
- Mechanics and vehicle part providers
Maintaining the transport network
Contractors and subcontractors related to the agencies identified below, that are necessary to address immediate and short-term risks to human safety on the transport network e.g.
- Traffic controllers
- Emergency works staff
- Cleaning staff critical for safe operations
Any works, including capital works that are not required for the safe and efficient operation of the transport network must be stood down until the end of the Level 4 Alert period.
2. Aviation
- Personnel who work in air services, airlines and airports, e.g.
- Security, border staff and air traffic control
- Freight and baggage handlers
- Air crew
- Any other key personnel needed to keep the airport and airlines, and the movement of people and air freight, operational (not including retail or café staff at the airport)
Visitors and tourists can still use international air services to travel home.
Domestic air transport can be used to proceed to an international airport if returning home (i.e. repatriation).
Non-essential workers are able to use domestic air travel to return home before 2359 hours Wednesday 25 March 2020.
Travellers returning from overseas can catch a domestic flight after 2359 hours Wednesday 25 March 2020 to return home.
3. Maritime
All personnel involved in the movement of freight by ship, internationally and domestically, in the maritime sector e.g.
- Security, border staff and maritime officers
- Ship pilots
- Engineers
- Stevedores
Appropriate port and portside staff (including port logistics)
Any maritime staff performing the operation of ferry services and water taxis, for essential workers, and essential trips for others only e.g. for access to food and healthcare.
This includes the operation of the Cook Strait ferries to move freight and essential workers.
Other passengers are able to use ferry services to return home before 2359 hours Wednesday 25 March 2020.
4. Key transport agency staff
Essential transport staff from the following agencies:
- Ministry of Transport
- New Zealand Transport Agency
- Civil Aviation Authority (including Aviation Security Service)
- Maritime New Zealand (including the Rescue Coordination Centre and Maritime Radio)
- Airways NZ
- MetService
- KiwiRail, including Interislander
- Local and regional authorities
