Woman refusing food at MIQ facility has smoothies

A woman who was prevented from leaving a Christchurch managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility after 14 days because she refused to take a Covid-19 test is now being monitored after declining food.

Priszallia Hawkins is believed to be in the Sudima Hotel near Christchurch Airport after returning from Australia.

Hawkins was due to leave on April 4, but an MIQ spokesman said that because she did not comply with the health requirements, including daily wellness checks and completing tests on day three and 12, she was required to stay.

Being a ‘‘low risk of having or transmitting Covid-19’’ was legal requirement in order to allow a returnee to leave isolation, he said.

She is now being ‘‘closely monitored’’ by health staff after she indicated ‘‘she would no longer consume the meals provided’’.

In a Facebook post, Hawkins called the protest a ‘‘fast against medical tyranny’’ and in a video she said she had been drinking smoothies to stave off hunger.

The MIQ spokesman said the maximum time she would need to remain in isolation was 28 days.

‘‘During the rest of [her] stay in managed isolation [she] will continue to have all meals delivered and [her] wellbeing will be closely monitored by health staff,’’ he said. ‘‘[She] will also be offered a Covid19 test each day,’’ and would be allowed to leave immediately if she returned a negative result.

Everyone entering an isolation or quarantine facility was provided with a welcome pack detailing what was required of them during their stay,’’ he said.

‘‘[This] includes information about the tests they are required to have, when and how they are taken and what happens if the results are positive or negative,’’ he said. ‘‘In this case, managed isolation nurses also had several conversations with the returnee regarding testing and other matters, and additional clarification was also provided in response to the returnee’s concerns.’’