1600 Kiwis to return from India

Kiwis returning from India may be quarantined in Wellington and Christchurch if Auckland space runs low.

Internationally, the coronavirus threat is not slowing, and the Government plans to repatriate up to 1600 New Zealanders from India this week.

‘‘This is the largest consular effort the New Zealand Government has ever undertaken,’’ Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said yesterday.

‘‘It is a huge effort, and where we can we’re working really closely to get Kiwis home, and get those who are in New Zealand who want to get home also home.’’

However, Hipkins warned of some constraints. ‘‘A lot of the logistics, and planning those flights, and working out who’s going to be on those flights ... is still being done.’’

The latest Covid-19 national situation report says up to 1600 New Zealanders being repatriated from India could be directed to managed isolation in Christchurch and Wellington.

‘‘Due to the anticipated volume of people, regional repatriation, isolation and quarantine operations teams will be stood up in Wellington and Christchurch, similar to the current operation in Auckland,’’ the report says.

So far, the bulk of the country’s arrivals are being put up in Auckland, and it is understood there is ample capacity in that city’s facilities.

Hipkins said all flights to date had landed in Auckland. He could not comment on where repatriated Kiwis might have to land in future.

He understood the first flight out of India would depart on Friday. ‘‘After that, we’re expecting a further flight from New Delhi and a flight from Mumbai. [We’re] expecting those to be spaced 24 hours to 48 hours apart, so that relevant practical arrangements can be made on the Indian side and the New Zealand side.’’

Hipkins said a flight from the Philippines landed on Monday, repatriating 167 New Zealanders in permanent residence, and 37 third-country nationals with valid visas. ‘‘[It] returned to Manila shortly after, carrying 63 Filipino residents.’’

As of 10am yesterday, New Zealand had 2038 people in managed isolational quarantine, up by 165, Hipkins said.

Those in ‘‘managed isolation’’ rose by 168 to 1952 and there are 86 in quarantine, down by three. On Monday, 348 people landed in New Zealand.

According to the Johns Hopkins University, India has 18,539 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has had 592 deaths.

As of 10am yesterday, New Zealand had 2038 people in managed isolational quarantine.

Above: Alicia Birrell hugs her brother Elliott Birrell, who died from cancer in the United States in 2017. Top right: Elliott’s cat, Braaap, with his owner’s ashes. Elliott’s ashes were washed out to sea from O¯ whiro Bay in this spice jar last week. The jar was found on the beach on Sunday by a member of the public.