Tests and quarantine: Is this how New Zealand will let international students return?

COVID-19 screenings at departure and arrival, two COVID-19 tests, 14 days of quarantine and no work rights while studying — these are the requirements being proposed by the National Party to allow international students in New Zealand to return at the second half of the year.

The National Party is urging the New Zealand government to allow international students to return as soon as it can be safely done, according to NZ Herald.

A bartender works at a bar on the first day of re-opening after establishments were shut for two months due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in Wellington on May 21, 2020. Bars across New Zealand reopened on May 21 following on from retailers and schools to complete the country’s emergence from a strict COVID-19 lockdown that began in late March. Source: Marty Melville/AFP

“If it doesn’t move quickly, New Zealand is at risk of missing out on international students for the second half of 2020, which will cost the economy hundreds of millions of dollars,” said National Party deputy leader Nikki Kaye.

The New Zealand National Party has 55 members of Parliament, 15 elected from the party list and 40 electorate seats. The current New Zealand government is governed by the Labour Party in coalition with the New Zealand First Party.

As New Zealand reports zero new cases of COVID-19 several weeks in a row, universities in the capital city Wellington are hoping international students will be able to resume or begin their studies in the country.

Ministries, border agencies, airlines as well as other airports are reportedly in talks to safely facilitate international arrivals. A previous report said universities are mulling special flights for international students.

Statistics New Zealand found that international students studying for less than 12 months spent NZ$3.9 billion in the year to March 2019.

Their value was much more than the revenue they bring to universities and the wider economy, according to Victoria University Vice-chancellor Grant Guilford.

“They contribute significantly to universities’ ability to be world-class. They augment domestic student revenue significantly, but they also help us compete with other countries for the global talent pool that fuels the knowledge economy.

School children make their way to school after the government allowed schools to re-open under Level 2 guidelines in Wellington on May 18, 2020. On May 13, 2020 New Zealand went from Level 3 lockdown to Level 2 to restart the economy after the Covid 19 virus’ spread was sufficiently slowed down. Source: Marty Melville/AFP

“A number of nations around the world realise that if they can recruit those students, they get an advantage in high tech and other industries.”

Potential new guidelines for new international students in New Zealand