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National promises a radical shakeup at the border, which would allow travelers from low-risk countries to bypass the full Covid-19 quarantine.
The party also wants to add additional capacity to the managed isolation and quarantine network (MIQ), but this would be privatized, and private providers could offer isolation services.
Those providers would be allowed to set their own facility charges.
The National Border Protection Agency Te Korowai Whakamaru / NZ would establish a minimum of guidelines that the new facilities would have to comply with.
National spokesperson for the Covid-19 response, Gerry Brownlee, said opening the border carefully would be the key to restoring economic growth.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Gerry Brownlee wants a radical overhaul of quarantine policy.
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“New Zealand needs to grow to get out of this economic crisis, which means we need a plan to get essential workers back into the country,” Brownlee said.
“Our horticultural industry, for example, is desperate to fill the worker shortage created by border restrictions that are putting $ 9.5 billion of the nation’s economy at risk.”
Currently, the MIQ facilities have the capacity to house 7,300 people at a time. Brownlee said it was crucial that New Zealand find a way to attract more essential workers to the country.
Brownlee said National would seek to allow arrivals from some countries to skip the full 14-day MIQ period.
This is not a firm commitment. National’s language around politics is extremely tentative.
“Exploring options should be explored, along with public health councils, for Pacific countries that have not had Covid-19 [SIC]”Said the policy document.
“[T]There is very little risk here in exploring options such as shorter managed isolation periods for returning New Zealanders or other arrivals from these countries, ”the document says.
People from countries where there was no Covid-19, such as the Pacific states, could be allowed shorter MIQ periods, although travelers would have to return a test before departure and get tested on the third day after their departure. arrival in New Zealand.
The current isolation period of 14 days is set as the longest practical period for people to isolate themselves based on a standard incubation period for the virus.
Pre-departure tests have been criticized because people infected with the virus may not test positive until a few days later.
Other parts of the border policy include investing in bluetooth-enabled technology, such as the Covid card, something the current government has explored but has been hit by delays.
Brownlee also wants to reduce the wait time for a Covid-19 test to 60 minutes and begin regular testing of people who work in elderly care, possibly in line with what is currently happening with workers in the elderly. MIQ facilities and on the border.
National also wants regular testing of the wastewater for traces of Covid-19. This would give an early indication of whether there is Covid-19 in the community.
