MIQ surprises ‘iso’ on the cake for Christmas
Christmas at a managed isolation facility was not as terrible as Rebecca Snape and Jeramie Harden had feared.
The day was packed with some surprises, including Christmas crackers on their breakfast tray and a delicious roast dinner with all the trimmings.
The couple were two of about 5720 returnees who spent Christmas Day in managed isolation at 32 facilities across the country yesterday.
Snape and Harden are staying at Stamford Hotel in Auckland, after arriving in the country from Britain last Saturday.
Snape said she was amazed at how far the hotel staff went to make sure guests did not miss out on celebrating Christmas. Employees surprised them with bottles of non-alcoholic grape juice just before lunch.
‘‘It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas, but we appreciate the effort by the hotel. The staff have been quite jolly, considering they have to work today.’’
Snape said they flew out of the UK just before the country went into another lockdown.
American Paisley O’Shea, 23, spent her Christmas in managed isolation at The Sebel, in south Auckland.
O’Shea met her Kiwi boyfriend four years ago in Thailand and they had a long distance relationship until she decided to move to New Zealand earlier this year.
When Covid-19 started getting worse, she decided to go home to Southern California, regroup and be with family.
She then applied for and was granted a critical purpose partner visa to return to New Zealand and had the option of flying out on December 20 or mid-February. She did not want to wait until next year to arrive, despite that meaning she would be spending Christmas alone in managed isolation.
O’Shea said The Sebel had been decorated with tinsel, wreaths, lights and Merry Christmas signs to celebrate the occasion. Her lunch had come with a cracker, a joke and a crown – something she had never experienced in the United States.
O’Shea said spending Christmas alone was ‘‘not ideal’’ but it was an ‘‘awesome trade-off’’ for what was to come, and family had been calling her all day.
A managed isolation and quarantine spokesperson said staff were committed to giving returnees the best festive experience they could – while keeping everyone safe from Covid-19.
Most facilities had Christmas trees and decorations up, Christmas music playing and other treats for guests.
There was even a reindeer food station at one hotel so children could keep up the tradition of leaving treats out for Santa’s helpers on Christmas Eve.
The spokeswoman said: ‘‘Hotels are used to looking after people and showing manaakitanga [hospitality] through the festive season.
‘‘Some facilities are extending the good cheer out to New Year’s Eve, such as petit fours and a glass of bubbles to have at midnight.’’
At the Stamford Plaza, guests could buy a special Christmas menu, including a roast for $90, high tea for $59 and a New Year’s seafood platter for $180.