Arrivals drop by 25 per cent amid coronavirus travel bans

Monday, 2 March 2020

Visitor numbers dropped by at least a quarter last month as travel bans continue during the coronavirus outbreak.

The number of overseas arrivals decreased by 25 per cent in the first week of February, Statistics New Zealand figures showed.

In the week ending on February 9, 89,500 visitors arrived, compared to 120,000 the same time last year.

Since early February, New Zealand has banned the entry of foreign nationals who have travelled from or through mainland China in the past 14 days.

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In the week ending on February 9, visitor numbers were down to 89,500 compared to 120,000 the same time last year.

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That means the number of people travelling from China has dropped from about 20,000 a week in late January to zero.

The first case of the virus, which has infected more than 83,000 people globally, was confirmed in New Zealand last week.

The person, a citizen of New Zealand, had been to Iran and flown back to New Zealand via Bali.

New Zealand was the 48th country to have a confirmed case and more sporadic cases may continue to arrive in New Zealand, Health Minister David Clark said on Friday.

'We are well prepared, because we've had time to be prepared,' he said.

Last week Finance Minister Grant Robertson said coronavirus would have a 'serious impact' on the New Zealand economy in the short term.

So far New Zealand's seafood and tourism industries have received government assistance due to the effects of coronavirus, with the Government committing $11 million to attract visitors from outside China and to promote regional tourism.