Steps to ensure foot and mouth disease is not brought to NZ
Due to a recent foot and mouth disease outbreak in Indonesia, Biosecurity New Zealand has enhanced screening in place for travellers arriving in New Zealand from Bali.
Passengers arriving on direct flights from Bali:
- must have their footwear disinfected, using a footbath at the arrival gate
- face additional risk assessment questioning from officers
- may be directed to undergo baggage searches.
Wear closed-toed shoes
We encourage arriving air passengers from Indonesia to wear closed-toed shoes for their flight back to New Zealand rather than open-toed footwear like jandals/flip flops/sandals. This will speed up the process for disinfecting footwear.
You may be asked extra questions
Passengers arriving from Indonesia and other countries where foot and mouth disease is present may be asked enhanced 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 answer these honestly. 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 farmland or rice fields
- making sure shoes and clothing are free of any soil or dirt
- avoiding bringing back risk items, including animal-based food products and skulls or untanned leather souvenirs
- staying away from New Zealand farms or livestock for at least a week after arrival.
Campaign to raise foot and mouth disease awareness for travellers – Media release (July 2022)
