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Joseph Johnson / Stuff
Police outside the Sudima Hotel in Christchurch on Tuesday.
A large group of international sailors tested positive for Covid-19, days after arriving in Christchurch.
Stuff It was previously reported that some 440 fishermen from Russia and Ukraine were due to arrive on two flights chartered by fishing companies, the first of which is believed to have landed from Moscow via Singapore on Friday.
Many of the 237 people on board have been in isolation at the Sudima Hotel, near Christchurch Airport, since their arrival.
Sudima Operations Director Les Morgan said the hotel was closed Tuesday afternoon.
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A member of staff contacted him and told him that there was a “series of infections”.
“I’m worried.”
ALDEN WILLIAMS / Stuff
Deep-sea fishing boats across the country have been moored for months waiting for new crews.
Morgan said he was waiting for an update from health officials, which was expected at 4 p.m.
A source close to the hotel said “this is a major outbreak.”
Stuff Up to 25 people have been said to be affected, but it is unclear how many of them have tested positive.
Comments have been requested from the Ministry of Health and quarantine officials. A statement is expected shortly.
Joe Johnson / Stuff
The Sudima hotel in Christchurch.
Only one imported case of Covid-19 was announced at the press conference on Tuesday at 1pm. According to the website of the Ministry of Health, there are 32 active cases of Covid-19 in controlled isolation and quarantine facilities.
New Zealand’s deep-sea fishing industry, which relies heavily on foreign workers, has been affected by Covid travel restrictions that have left operators unable to man their vessels, costing tens of millions of dollars. Dollars.
Since September, more than 100 fishermen have flown into the country and as many as 800 are expected under special exceptions at the government border for such crew members, jobs that Kiwis cannot fill.
Sealord, Independent Fisheries and Maruha Nichiro chartered the flight that landed last week. All three companies are paying the bill for the cost of isolating the fishermen.
New Zealand’s borders are closed to most people beyond citizens and residents to prevent the spread of Covid, although there are exceptions for some based on your need to travel, including economic reasons.
Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said foreign offshore fishing crews “contribute significantly to New Zealand’s economy.”
RNZ
The fishing season starts this week and some professional guides who would normally turn clients away have no reservations due to the Covid-19 border closure.
“The government accepts that there are few additional Kiwis with the experience to safely work on these boats in the short term.”
In return, the industry has vowed to remove barriers to hiring New Zealanders.
