Travellers

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government would no longer make it a condition of entry that people had to show they had tested negative for the virus before they travelled here.

The change will come into effect on April 17.

"Given that the vaccination requirements remain and the masking requirements, the medical advice is that [the test] would no longer be required," Mr Hunt said.

"Particularly as there are some challenges in some jurisdictions in having access to those tests or proving those tests."

Health Secretary Dr James Fong confirmed the cases of interest were Fijian nationals returning from Africa.

"In Fiji, we currently have Covid-positive travellers in quarantine who arrived in the country from African states before we knew about Omicron.

"They have been quarantined in line with the stringent measures we apply to countries we consider a red zone for ongoing viral spread. Their specimens will be forwarded this week overseas for genetic sequencing."

“There are millions of people around the world stranded by COVID-19 and we are continuing to do our part to help them get home,” Mr Peters said. “Accordingly, Cabinet agreed yesterday that New Zealand would seek reciprocal transit arrangements with a number of countries to enable our citizens to transit each other’s airports.

“One barrier to New Zealanders getting home at present is the transit restrictions imposed by a number of countries. We continue to seek assistance from these countries to enable New Zealanders to transit through their airports in order to come home.

Just recently the travelling public found out that they have had to pay up to 3 times more than what they usually pay.

According to Air Niugini’s current website under the checked baggage section, the allowable weight per passenger (infants not included) is 20kg for business class, 29kg for executive club members and 16kg for economy class.

A reliable source within Air Niugini says the fees for excess baggage have now changed from the usual K7 per kg fee.

“Air Niugini is charging in zones now,” reveals the source.