Covid-19 Update – 13 August 2020
Over the past three months, New Zealand successfully supressed the spread of Covid-19 in our community. Unfortunately, there has been an outbreak in Auckland and the government has raised the Alert Levels again. Auckland is currently in Alert Level 3 and travel to and from the city is restricted. The rest of New Zealand is in Alert Level 2, which allows for travel between regions.
Apex has implemented enhanced protocols to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. We have continued to monitor the news, information, advice and guidance from the Government, the Director General of Health, the World Health Organisation and local authorities regarding the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Our focus is to ensure we meet the needs of our customers and staff in a safe and practical manner, while maintaining the guidelines for limiting the transmission of the virus.
Please review the following FAQ’s regarding the steps we have introduced. For further information, please contact Apex Reservations.
Australian Rentals:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 273 922
New Zealand Rentals:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 500 660
Am I still able to rent a vehicle while Auckland is at Alert Level 3?
The New Zealand government has announced that Auckland would move to Alert Level 3 commencing on Wednesday 12th August 2020 at 12 noon.
From the 12th August, customers wishing to return their vehicle can do so during operating hours to our Auckland Airport or Auckland City locations.
If you are required to return a vehicle during Alert Level 3, please adhere to the following process:
- 1. You need to return the vehicle to the nearest Apex Auckland location (Auckland Airport or Auckland City).
- 2. You will be required to provide the following information: phone number, contact details, reservation number.
If you would prefer to extend your rental and return the vehicle after the lockdown period, please contact our Central Reservations team.
Apex Central Reservations
Email: [email protected]
Free Phone: 0800 500 660
If you have an existing booking due to start in Auckland during Alert Level 3, please call Apex Central Reservations for further instructions.
PLEASE NOTE: You are still able to make bookings for pick-up in Auckland after the Alert Level 3 period ends on Wednesday 26th August, but this is subject to change depending on advice from the New Zealand government.
Am I still able to rent a vehicle outside of Auckland during Alert Level 2?
Yes, you can still rent a vehicle from all Apex NZ locations outside of Auckland.
Outside of Auckland, regions have moved to Alert Level 2. Apex rental locations outside of Auckland are open and you are free to travel between regions, with the exception of Auckland.
Apex will continue to focus on meeting the needs of our customers and staff in a safe and practical manner, while maintaining the guidelines for limiting the transmission of the virus. We will continue to closely follow the government’s guidelines and only promote safe travel.
For more information on safe travel, please visit the government’s Covid-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/alert-level-2/#travel-and-transport.
Is Apex taking any additional precautions to help reduce the spread of Covid-19?
Yes, to help protect our staff and customers we are encouraging social distancing at all Apex locations. If you visit an Apex location, we ask that keep a minimum of two metres apart at all times.
We are also encouraging regular hand washing, and the use of hand sanitizer, where available. We have also enhanced the robust cleaning techniques applied to our vehicles after each rental. In particular, we are paying special attention to the places commonly touched, such as steering wheels, door handles and other hard surfaces.
In addition, we are taking steps to ensure the welfare of our employees, by instructing employees to stay home if they feel unwell and consult their healthcare providers.
Apex is closely monitoring the information shared by the World Health Organization concerning advice on how to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
We advise all our customers to keep updated on the latest developments from the World Health Organisation the Ministry of Health New Zealand or the Australian Department of Health.
What can I do to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus while renting an Apex vehicle?
During your journey, try to minimise the number of places you stop along the way to your final destination. Consciously keep a record of where you have been and when.
Can I travel within my own state in Australia?
States and Territories have applied their own travel restrictions, including closing their state borders.
Prior to making a booking, we advise all customers to keep updated on the latest developments for States and Territories, by visiting:
Australian Department of Health – advice for travellers.
What rules apply to Australian interstate rentals where state borders have closed?
If you reside in a particular city and are returning a vehicle to the city/state you reside in, you will be asked at the border to show proof that you reside in that city.
One-way rentals are not allowed interstate during the duration of border lockdowns.
Prior to making any new reservation, you must fully understand the current implications and restrictions on interstate travel.
What extra measures are Apex using when cleaning vehicles after each rental?
Apex has taken the following steps to ensure our cleaning protocols are of the highest standard:
- using industry-grade cleaning solution throughout the vehicle
- particular focus on detailed cleaning of high touch points, paying attention to hard interior surfaces such as, steering wheels, door handles, buttons, switches, centre consoles, glove boxes, key fobs and dashboards.
- The safety of our customers is paramount and we are taking these steps to ensure each vehicle is cleaned to the highest standard.
What should I do if I have already made a booking, but it’s impacted by a Covid-19 travel restriction?
If your booking is impacted by a quarantine measure or other Covid-19 travel restrictions, this booking can be cancelled without charge until 1 March 2021.
For any customers who have booked through a third-party broker or website, please contact them directly for further guidance.
What about bookings not directly impacted by a government, Coronavirus- related travel ban?
For increased flexibility, all Australia and New Zealand rentals due to start before 1 March, 2021 can be changed or cancelled at no cost.
To make any changes, please contact our reservations team.
Australian Rentals:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 273 922
New Zealand Rentals:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 500 660
What is the process if a customer is advised to self-quarantine, or has tested positive for Covid-19?
The safety of our customers and staff is our priority, if a customer is told to self- isolate; they must do so immediately. Similarly, if a customer tests positive for Covid-19 they must seek advice from their medical practitioner and avoid contact with others.
In these circumstances, we ask that customers contact their nearest Apex rental location or our Customer Care Team.
Contact Apex Customer Care:
Australian Rentals:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 273 922
New Zealand Rentals:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 500 660
The Customer Care Team will arrange for the collection and/or quarantine of the vehicle.
We ask that customers contact us as soon as they are told to self-quarantine and we will collect the vehicle as quickly as possible. In the interim, customers are responsible for the vehicle whilst it is in their possession.
If I have been told to self-isolate and cannot return the vehicle will Apex arrange to collect the car?
Yes, if you have been told to self-quarantine, or have tested positive for Covid-19, please contact your nearest Apex rental location or our Customer Care Team.
Contact Apex Customer Care:
Australian Rentals:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1800 273 922
New Zealand Rentals:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0800 500 660
The Customer Care Team will arrange for the collection and/or quarantine of the vehicle.
We ask that customers contact us as soon as they are told to self-quarantine and we will collect the vehicle as quickly as possible. In the interim, customers are responsible for the vehicle whilst it is in their possession.
Are you closing any Apex Australia locations?
Unfortunately, due to the second wave outbreak in Victoria and the ongoing restrictions on domestic travel, Apex has temporarily closed the following locations: Melbourne Airport, Melbourne City, Sydney City, and Brisbane City. We have also reduced opening hours at some locations. Please review our Apex Australia Car Rental Locations page for further details.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.