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Marc daalder
Marc Daalder is a Wellington-based political reporter covering Covid-19, climate change, energy, primary industries, technology, and the far right. Twitter: @marcdaalder.
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COVID-19
The managed isolation and quarantine system is fully reserved for newcomers until December 15, at which point they would have to remain isolated until four days after Christmas, reports Marc Daalder.
Overseas New Zealanders hoping to return to the country before Christmas have missed their chance.
A new voucher scheme went into effect Monday for the Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) system to help allocate limited space to returnees. Anyone wishing to board a flight to New Zealand must show that they have a voucher that allows them to arrive in the country on a specific date.
However, all arrivals until December 15 are now fully booked.
“We currently have a short-term increase in the number of arrivals from Nov 1-12 and Nov 23-Dec 12. The Managed Isolation Assignment System (MIAS) is now fully booked during this period, which means that there is no capacity for additional reserves in managed isolation facilities, “an MIQ system spokesperson told Newsroom.
The spokesperson said that some 65,000 people have gone through the MIQ system and the voucher system will help streamline current processes and avoid a scenario in which there are more returnees than empty rooms.
Currently, it is only possible to book an arrival to New Zealand for the period between December 15 and January 15. The spokesperson said that dates after January 15 will be available, but MIQ rooms can only be reserved so far.
“The reality is that there are a limited number of rooms available. New Zealanders can still go home, but anyone who wants to go home before the Christmas holiday period needs to make their travel plans in advance, or they may not be able to. come home on their preferred dates, “the spokesperson said.
“Due to Covid, this Christmas is very different from the previous one. We ask people to be flexible and that if there are no places available in managed isolation on your preferred date, check and see if there are places available on another close date.”
Arriving on December 15 would mean someone would have to stay in quarantine until December 29 at the very least.
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