Single photo that shows the absurd measures New Zealand customs officers are forced to take to stop Covid transmission

  • NZ airport workers seen wearing Covid protective gear covering their heads
  • The unusual devices pump filtered air into the helmet and include face shields
  • NZ recently dropped restrictions on tourists after years of keeping the world out

By Max Aldred For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A photo has shown just how far New Zealand has gone to stop the spread of Covid, with airport workers seen in bizarre protective masks that cover their entire heads.

The picture, believed to have been taken this week, shows Christchurch immigration and biosecurity staff in N95 masks and powered air purifying respirators, otherwise known as PAPRs.

The PAPRs not only shield the face, but have a tube that filters air into the hood which is worn over the head.

The devices are usually used if a more standard face mask is unable to be fitted correctly onto the person needing it.

Other staff members who were wearing the N95 masks were also spotted wearing protective glasses. 

While the protective gear may appear strange to many around the world, New Zealand has famously taken an extremely strict approach to Covid and have extensive masking measures in their airports.

Customs officers must wear fitted N95 masks and protective eyewear. Reading glasses don't count. 

Jacinda Ardern (pictured) has strict rules for her airport staff but has eased restrictions for travellers in the hopes tourism will ramp up

Jacinda Ardern (pictured) has strict rules for her airport staff but has eased restrictions for travellers in the hopes tourism will ramp up

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recently relaxed rules for international visitors in a bid to entice more tourists to New Zealand.

New Zealand was mostly locked away from the rest of the world during the pandemic, due to Ms Ardern's strict zero-Covid policy which also saw its own residents struggling to get home.

Multiple lockdowns had been imposed after just a handful of cases.

Vaccinated travellers with approved visas can now enter the country without having to isolate but must take two rapid tests upon arrival and report the results.

In her most recent visit across the ditch, Ms Ardern called on Australians to travel to her country. 

'I don't hesitate to say we missed you. And you will get a welcome like no other right now, because we're so excited to have people back,' she said.

'It's ski season in New Zealand. Look, in regular times, Australians made up of our international skiers about 71 per cent of the market. So Aussies love to ski in New Zealand. I can see why. It's easy, it's accessible.'

Covid curbs introduced by New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

March 16, 2020: Mandatory self-isolation for all new arrivals, including New Zealanders into the country.

March 19: All non-residents or citizens are banned from entering the country under an international border ban.

March 25: Nationwide lockdown enforced, with only essential services allowed to open. At this stage, NZ has recorded 102 cases and 0 deaths.

June 8, 2020: Ardern announces no new community transmissions within the past fortnight and says NZ has eliminated transmission of Covid. 

August-September 2020: Auckland's 1.7million residents endure two months of lockdown measures after 4 new cases are initially recorded.

February-March 2021: Auckland re-enters lockdown as three new Covid cases are recorded in the community.

August 17: All of New Zealand re-enters Level 4 lockdown measures for two weeks as one new community case is recorded.

October: Traffic light system is created, barring unvaccinated residents from entering businesses, gyms and barbers in 'red' or 'amber' alert areas.

December: The Government delays the planned reopening of its border in February due to the spreading Omicron variant. 

December 21: Length of stay for people in Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facilities increased to 10 days.

January 2022: Public backlash as major events and sporting fixtures are capped at a maximum of 100 people under Covid Red Alert measures.

January 18: Government postpones managed isolation and quarantine lottery due to increase in Covid cases.

January: Ardern announced she had cancelled her own wedding after nine new Omicron cases were recorded.

February: Government announces plan to open up country with New Zealanders and eligible travellers from Australia allowed to skip quarantine as long as they self-isolate for 10 days.

March 2: Vaccinated travellers entering the country no longer have to self-isolate on arrival. 

May 2: UK travellers and those from other visa waiver countries allowed to enter country without self-isolating.

August 2022: New Zealand government to loosen restrictions to allow all travellers to enter the country provided they are vaccinated and take two rapid antigen tests after arrival.

New Zealand

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