The Ministry of Health has advised laboratories and PHOs that COVID exit testing for repatriation to other countries pre-departure will not be funded by the NZ government from 22 June 2020.
People registering for repatriation flights departing NZ will be made aware of any requirements around pre-departure testing by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and airlines.
Labtests perform COVID-19 PCR testing at their laboratory in Mount Wellington, Auckland. Please note that samples received at Northland Pathology are couriered to Auckland, often overnight, consequently we advise travellers to arrange for testing in Auckland.
Labtests endeavour to process samples for pre-departure testing (separate samples collected 48hours and then 24hours prior to departure) on the day they are received at their laboratory, however they cannot guarantee results will be available for request of green health QR code, or Health Declaration Form in time to allow passenger departure.
For an updated announcement on pre-departure testing, please click here.
Read information about the testing process below:
Test Process
Travellers will contact their medical practice to arrange testing. Payment must be made directly to the medical practice for all associated costs of testing, including the laboratory analysis.
Time-frame for Testing and Results
Pre-departure testing must be requested on or before 72 hours from when the result is required (not flight departure time). If a traveller presents with less than 72 hours before they require their result they should be aware of the likelihood they will not make their flight.
Payment
The price of the laboratory analysis is $145.00 inc. GST; this must be paid to the medical practice directly. The laboratory will invoice the medical practice for testing as per standard invoicing process.
Clinical Details
Manual Request Form
Medical practices must include relevant details on the test request form such as “Pre-departure COVID-19 Test”, “Clearance” or “Travel”. This allows the laboratory to identify the purpose of testing.
eOrder
If using eOrders, select “Novel Coronavirus” and in funding category select “Patient to pay” (second option as below).
Patient Consent
By requesting COVID-19 testing individuals are providing their consent for results to be sent through to the national result repository. This is a Ministry of Health requirement for all notifiable diseases. There is no requirement for a separate consent form to be completed for this purpose.
Accreditation
Our laboratory is an Accredited Medical Testing Laboratories (SARS-CoV-2). For more information visit the IANZ accreditation directory.
Further Information
For further information on the laboratory testing process, please contact: info.commercial@aphg.co.nz. For other enquiries please contact admin@norpath.co.nz.