With the plan for Auckland and Northland remaining at COVID-19 Alert Level 4 while the rest of the country moves to
Alert Level 3 from 23:59 on Tuesday, 31 August, the Business Travel Register has now been activated for businesses to
apply for their Business Travel Documents through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) using
Business Connect.
Businesses with workers needing to cross the Alert Level boundary can apply for Business Travel Documents if they meet
the criteria for permitted travel. A worker may only cross the Alert Level Boundary if that travel is legally permitted
for that Alert Level shift, or if they have a current travel exemption granted by the Director-General of Health.
The eligible business categories, types of travel permitted and link to start an application through Business Connect
are available on the here on the business.govt.nz website https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/business-travel-across-alert-level-boundaries/, while the boundary between regions in different Alert Levels can be found on the Unite Against COVID-19 website https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/travelling-across-alert-level-boundaries/personal-travel-permissions-over-an-alert-level-4-and-3-boundary/.
Because public health and protecting communities from the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant is our top priority, it
is expected that granting of exemptions will be very limited. Exemption applications will not be processed until a
Health Order is in place.
Travel documents which were issued when the register has previously been activated will no longer be valid and
businesses will need to re-apply for them.
Businesses which have previously applied for travel documents will find that when they log in to their Business Connect
account, their details will be saved from the previous application.
Businesses are responsible for reviewing and updating this information to ensure that it is current before they submit
their new application.
When travelling, workers should have a printed copy of their Business Travel Documents, or an electronic copy available
on their smartphone so police can verify the document to make travel across the Alert Level Boundary as quick as
possible.
If you do not have your Business Travel Documents on you, police may ask you to provide alternative evidence, such as an
airline ticket showing travel out of New Zealand or a letter showing a medical appointment, and you may experience
delays or not be able to cross the boundary at that time. Each person in the vehicle will need to present their document
to boundary officials; if there is someone in your vehicle who does not have a document, they may not be able to cross
the boundary.
MBIE will conduct spot audits of applications under the Business Travel Register to ensure that applications are
appropriate and may take action if applicants are in breach of the criteria.
The issue of Business Travel Documents is subject to any changes made between the time of issue and 23.59pm on Tuesday
31 August when the Health Order may come into effect.
Limiting travel between regional areas will help stop the spread of COVID-19; businesses should use remote working
options wherever possible or find alternate providers within their Alert Level region if possible.