Covid-19: more than 100 returnees were granted isolation permission for medical reasons

More than 100 international returnees have been granted a leave of medically managed isolation.

Data from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) show that between April 11 and October 7, 152 people were able to isolate themselves at home or were transferred to a health center for medical reasons.

The information was given to Things After it was revealed in August, a couple from South Auckland were isolated at home for medical reasons.

From April 9, it is mandatory for all people arriving in New Zealand to enter a quarantine and managed isolation facility.

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The Health Ministry dealt with the exemptions between April 11 and July 13 before they were transferred to MBIE.

Between April 11 and July 13, the Ministry of Health granted a total of 147 medical exemptions.

Of these, 90 people felt their needs could not be met in controlled isolation and were asked to isolate themselves in the community, 52 people needed urgent medical treatment (they were evacuated) and five were transferred to a health care facility.

“Most medical evacuation and medical transfer exemptions return to controlled isolation or quarantine after discharge until their mandatory 14-day isolation period is completed,” said the Ministry’s Bena Hynes.

Between July 13 and October 7, MBIE approved a total of five applications to self-isolate at home. All five requests were for medical reasons.

Air Commodore Darryn Webb said all of these individuals were closely monitored and supported to ensure they met the conditions of their exemption.