We want to ensure foot and mouth disease is not brought to New Zealand
Due to the presence of foot and mouth disease in Indonesia, Biosecurity New Zealand continues to have enhanced screening for travellers arriving from Indonesia, particularly passengers arriving on direct flights from Bali. These travellers:
- must have their footwear disinfected, using a footbath at the arrival gate
- may be asked more questions by quarantine officers to assess their risk
- may have their baggage searched.
It's best you wear closed-toed shoes
We encourage arriving air passengers from Indonesia to wear closed-toed shoes for their flight to New Zealand rather than open-toed footwear like jandals, flip-flops, or sandals. This will speed up the process for disinfecting footwear.
Examples of extra questions you may be asked
Passengers arriving from Indonesia and other countries where foot and mouth disease is present may be asked extra biosecurity questions upon arrival. These include:
- Have you been in contact with any wildlife or livestock such as cattle, pigs, or goats?
- Have you visited any farmlands (including rice fields)?
- Do you have any shoes or equipment contaminated with soil or that have been on any farmlands/rice fields?
- Do you have any animal products such as food items and souvenirs such as skulls and untanned leather?
Make sure you give honest answers. A false declaration may incur a $400 fine.
All travellers can help protect New Zealand
Travellers can protect New Zealand from foot and mouth disease by:
- avoiding contact with wildlife or livestock, such as cattle, pigs, or goats
- avoiding visiting farmlands or rice fields
- making sure shoes and clothing are free of any soil or dirt
- avoiding bringing back risk items, including souvenirs such as skulls or untanned leather souvenirs
- staying away from New Zealand farms or livestock for at least a week after arrival.
