New Zealand will soon require that travellers from most countries show negative coronavirus tests before they leave for New Zealand.
Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins said New Zealand is in a fortunate position to have stamped out community spread of the virus but is taking nothing for granted.
The new rules will require travellers to have a negative test within 72 hours of departure.
The rules will be imposed on travellers from the US and the UK beginning on Friday January 15 and most other countries soon after.
Travellers from Australia and some Pacific nations will be exempted.
Until now, New Zealand has relied on placing new arrivals into a mandatory two-week quarantine.
Meanwhile, the small Pacific nation of Micronesia has reported its first case of coronavirus after a crew member on an arriving ship tested positive.
Home to 100,000 people, Micronesia had been among a dwindling handful of island nations to have avoided the virus altogether.
In an address to the nation, President David Panuelo said many people had heard the "alarming news" but the case has been contained at the border.
Mr Panuelo said one crew member aboard the government ship Chief Mailo had tested positive after the vessel had returned from the Philippines following more than a year of dry dock repairs.
He said the crew member has been isolated on board, that all other crew remain on board, and that the ship is being monitored daily by law enforcement.
