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Three German boaters have been detained after arriving in the Bay of Islands, in violation of New Zealand’s Covid-19 border restrictions.
All of the yacht’s crew tested negative for Covid-19 since they arrived at Opua. Source: rnz.co.nz
Despite being denied permission to enter the country, the trio’s yacht, Anita, arrived in Opua yesterday afternoon.
Immigration officials are now making arrangements for the three people to return home.
Immigration NZ visa and border operations manager Peter Elms said the crew applied for a border waiver from the Health Ministry, which was rejected.
“New Zealand’s border restrictions exist for a very good reason: to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and protect the health of the New Zealand population.
“The act of these people to travel here without authorization knowingly demonstrates a blatant disregard for New Zealand’s border restrictions.”
Attempting to violate the country’s border controls was serious business, Elms said.
He added that refusal of entry can also have long-term consequences for seafarers – their visa-waiver status for New Zealand may be suspended and it may affect their ability to travel to other countries.
A spokesman for the Health Ministry said in a statement that the ship’s crew had been tested for Covid-19 and that those tests came back negative. They have also been isolated on their boat for more than 14 days.
The crew had applied for an exemption, having set sail for New Zealand.
It was wanted for two reasons, humanitarian and taking the ship to New Zealand for repair.
His request was rejected because the Director General of Health was not convinced that the ship had an urgent need to reach the country.
The Ministry has previously provided guidance to potential applicants that ‘humanitarian reasons’ are unlikely to include situations such as financial losses, or for vessels traveling primarily for pleasure or convenience, as tourists, or ‘wintering’ to avoid the season. of hurricanes / cyclones in the Pacific.
This position has been widely communicated to the maritime community, including those in the South Pacific, the spokesperson said.
“While there were aspects of the case that were unfortunate, they did not reach the threshold of an imperative humanitarian need. As much as our country is known for its hospitality, New Zealand cannot become a Covid-19 maritime haven for all in circumstances. unfortunate “.
Foreign yachts seeking refuge in New Zealand from the seasonal Pacific cyclones have been campaigning for the move for months.
A week ago, the UK-based Ocean Cruising Club received an official notice that foreign yachts waiting to leave the Pacific will not be allowed to enter New Zealand, and must now make alternate arrangements.
The club had been in contact with New Zealand immigration and maritime agencies to find a way that would allow up to 300 yachts to sail here on the seasonal cruise route.
The ocean cruise club was told that maritime border restrictions applied under the current Covid-19 public health response.
The letter from the Director General of Health said that there were limited exemptions to the prohibition of foreign vessels arriving in New Zealand, including cargo and fishing vessels.
Permission for the entry of ships could also be granted, if there is an urgent need, such as refurbishments, repairs or humanitarian reasons.
