‘No rule book’ for Kiwis stuck in quarantine

A temporary ban on outside exercise for Kiwis isolating at some hotels has come under the scrutiny of the Human Rights Commission.

Returning Kiwis are placed in a two-week mandatory isolation or quarantine to stop the spread of Covid-19, and are housed in one of 13 hotels in Auckland.

Recently, a 24-hour ban on walking was enforced at some hotels to allow authorities to figure out a way to keep guests, and the public, safe.

The ban came on the back of claims made by several hotel guests who said they’d had to wait up to two days for a 30-minute escorted walk at one hotel.

At another hotel, guests were only allowed to ‘‘stretch their legs’’ at the front entrance, while others had access to a car park they could exercise in while supervised.

Strict conditions during Covid-19 lockdown means guests are allowed to leave their room for walks, but the activity has to be booked and approved by security staff.

However, the varying rules prompted Stuff to ask the Ministry of Health for its rule book.

The ministry provided guidelines, which encourages exercise inside hotel rooms, and allows for outside walks, provided Kiwis don’t interact with others outside their bubbles, and stay two metres away from other guests.

When asked whether all hotels had the same rules, the outfit in charge said there was no ‘‘off-theshelf operating manual’’ for staff.

‘‘Given that hotels are located in different environments, the process for facilitating exercise (including where guests take exercise and for how long) varies from hotel to hotel,’’ Auckland Emergency Management group

controller Kate Crawford said.

‘‘Some hotels are able to facilitate outside exercise within hotel grounds.

‘‘At other hotels, which don’t have gardens or outdoor areas as part of their site, guests are either given the opportunity to take supervised walks in the neighbourhood or use a dedicated exercise zone in public areas.’’ More than 2000 Kiwis are currently in managed isolation or quarantine.

Since facilities were first established, 25 coronavirus cases have been caught.

Chief Legal Advisor for the Human Rights Commission, Janet Anderson-Bidios, said people who were legally required to stay in managed isolation or quarantine, should always have access to necessities.

‘‘They should be able to communicate with their friends and family and have reasonable opportunities to exercise and engage in purposeful activities when this can be done safely.

‘‘They are also entitled to be given full information about why they are being detained, and how long for and to seek independent legal and medical advice if needed.

‘‘We would be very concerned if people were not being provided with basic entitlements or their movements were being restricted further than permitted under the laws that they are being detained under.’’ Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against can complain to the Human Rights Commission.

‘‘Some hotels are able to facilitate outside exercise within hotel grounds.’’

Kate Crawford

Auckland Emergency Management group controller