The Government has pushed through new measures to protect New Zealand against COVID-19.

On Tuesday, the Government announced it will give the Director-General of Health the power to require a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test from all New Zealanders returning to the country - and he will soon do so.

Arrivals from Australia, Antarctica and some Pacific Island nations will be exempt.

Currently, just those returning to New Zealand from the UK or the US have to test negative prior to departure.

Currently anyone returning to New Zealand from the UK or the US has to test negative prior to departure - the new amendments will streamline the process of adding other countries to this list. 

Minister for COVID-19 response Chris Hipkins also announced the criteria for day one testing has been extended to anyone coming into the country - bar those arriving from Australia, Antarctica and some Pacific Nations

Previously, only people returning from the US or the UK were required to be in strict isolation until they could return a negative COVID-19 test, while anyone returning from other countries was free to walk the halls of managed isolation facilities until their day three test.

Now all returnees will have to remain in their hotel rooms until they can be tested on their first day back in New Zealand.