New Zealand rations places for citizens returning home during COVID-19
New Zealanders could be blocked at their own border after the government moved to slow the pace of international arrivals due to COVID-19.
Mounting pressure on New Zealand’s COVID-19 border regime has forced the government to ration places for New Zealanders entering the country. Jacinda Ardern’s government has struck a deal with Air New Zealand to limit the number of places available for international arrivals, given the strain on compulsory isolation facilities.
The Housing Minister, Megan Woods, said a ban on bookings had been implemented, and some Kiwis who have Air NZ tickets may not be let in.
“Air New Zealand has agreed to put a temporary hold on new bookings in the short term, as well as looking at aligning daily arrivals with the capacity available at managed isolation facilities,” she said.
“People who have already booked flights with Air New Zealand will still be able to enter New Zealand subject to availability of quarantine space.”
Air New Zealand said the hold would last for three weeks, and may move some customers to other flights. Woods said she was talking to other airlines “about managing flows”.
The move will be contentious, as New Zealand’s bill of rights gives citizens the right to enter and leave New Zealand. To do this, the government has set up “managed isolation” hotels for new arrivals, with anyone testing positive moved to a “quarantine” hotel until they are free of the deadly virus.
New Zealand has not had a case of community transmission in more than two months, even as worldwide cases balloon to over 11 million.