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This story was originally published on Newsroom.co.nz and is republished with permission.
How many international travelers came here with Covid-19, and how many have been detained by forced quarantine to spread the virus? Farah Hancock shows how border controls worked
As an island nation, New Zealand has a vast salty buffer between us and the virus. Our second line of defense is a virtual 14-day quarantined moat in a hotel for most, but not all arrivals.
Since late February, 567 travelers are known to have brought a virus to New Zealand.
Of these well-known travelers, and perhaps others who were never tracked, the Covid-19 stowaway they brought with them has infected 930 other people, killing 21.
The quarantine seriously implemented on April 9 aims to catch and catch the virus by hooking any New Zealanders who return. Since the facilities were established, 25 cases have been captured.
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With tight controls on hugs, bubbles, relaxed work and schools at level 2, and no likely vaccinations for at least several months, our quarantine is more important than ever.
If a case comes in, there’s a better chance that it could spark a group like that at Marist College, where an infected schoolteacher unknowingly started a string of 94 other infections.
How does it work?
Travelers examined upon arrival and showing symptoms are quarantined. Here they are tested and classified as a confirmed case, a probable case or not a case. Those who test negative are transferred to a different area of the quarantine hotel.
Arrivals showing no symptoms are sent to the administered isolation. If they develop symptoms during the 14 days of isolation, they are transferred to a quarantined hotel.
To be able to leave, they must have completed 14 days of isolation and, if they are ill, they must have been free of any symptoms for 48 hours.
Before these measures were implemented, 558 cases were directly related to travel. Since mandatory quarantine or managed isolation measures were introduced, nine cases have been directly related.
The facilities first made available on March 26 for people who cannot isolate themselves have been a temporary home for 6,400 people.
There has been no indication that the current rules requiring isolation are changed. Even at alert level 1, border restrictions are listed as a possible measure.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty-Images
Life at New Zealand airports is much different now than it was two months ago.
Who is allowed in the country?
The borders were closed to non-New Zealand citizens on March 19. Since then, New Zealand Customs data shows that 11,474 people with non-New Zealand passports have arrived in the country by air.
There are limited exceptions to the closing rule, and you can apply for New Zealand Immigration approval.
Children, partners and legal guardians of New Zealand residents can enter, as can Australians who normally live in New Zealand.
Other exceptions are related to work. Essential health workers are allowed in, as are some other essential workers who receive government permission.
Samoan and Tonga citizens participating in essential travel are also about to apply to be an exception to the ban.
Are aircrews and horse boyfriends our weakest link?
As long as some precautions have been taken abroad, the New Zealand-based aircrew is exempt from quarantine, as are the bride and groom traveling with live horses.
While some sports have been suspended. horse racing was allowed under Tier 3 rules. This week Racing Minister Winston Peters announced a $ 72.5 million support package for the industry, saying “we are going to make racing great again “
The advice on the Ministry of Health website suggests that the risk of infection by the aircrew, a group that unusually includes grooms traveling with live horses, is lower than that of other travelers. It is recommended that PPE be used during flights.
“The level of risk represented by the arriving aircrew is different from that of other travelers who have resided in a foreign country, or those who have traveled for commercial or recreational purposes. The risk also differs for the night flight of the overseas-based aircrew in New Zealand, compared to the New Zealand-based aircrew returning from international duties. “
The precautions that must be taken to comply with the quarantine exemption differ depending on the location and prevalence of community spread of Covid-19.
In low-risk countries, no precautions are necessary.
In medium risk countries, masks and gloves are required at airport terminals and during transit to hotels. Only essential trips to supermarkets and pharmacies are allowed and these cannot be made by public transport or taxis. A mask should be worn anywhere in these exits if two meters of distance cannot be maintained.
In high-risk countries, the crew must remain in hotels and isolate themselves from other aircrew and hotel guests.
As long as these rules have been followed, the aircrew can travel home from the airport and live normal life below the existing alert level. Others in your bubble have no additional controls.
In mid-April, 30 Air NZ employees were reported to have contracted the virus since the outbreak began. Not all were aircrews.
A member of the Air NZ team at a Bluff wedding later tested positive. The group based on this event is New Zealand’s largest, with 98. The crew member had no symptoms during the wedding and said he had “adhered to the guidance of the Ministry of Health, which includes hygiene measures and PPE “
Those who break the rules and the risk of prison
On Monday, it was revealed that a New Zealander who returned from the United States on Anzac day refused a medical examination.
She was detained in Auckland Women’s Prison for 10 days on charges of failing to comply with the instructions of a person authorized by a medical health officer under Section 70 of the Health Act.
Finally, he accepted a test and received bail. She was released before the positive test result was known.
A Health Ministry spokesman said he traveled by private vehicle from Auckland to the MidBentral DHB area and is now in solitary confinement in a private residence.
“We are confident that there is no broader risk to public health.”
The threat of an outbreak in a prison, where double bunking means physical distancing is impossible, has been a cause for concern.
The woman’s home has disrupted the prison, with inmates and staff in danger.
The Corrections Department evaluated four prisoners who used the same facilities as the infected woman and said they all tested negative but are being handled “separately” for 14 days.
Six employees in contact with women have also been negative. They all used PPE when interacting with it. The six of them isolate themselves at home for 14 days.
Voluntary testing was offered to staff. The results of 33 of the 46 tests are negative. The rest of the evaluated staff is not at work while waiting for results.
This story was originally published on Newsroom.co.nz and is republished with permission.
