Self-isolation instead of MIQ good news

It’ll be our hospitality, tourism and events sectors which will once again bear the brunt of the restrictions.

The announcement that fully vaccinated New Zealanders can return without having to enter MIQ will be welcome news to the many constituents who have contacted me as they tried to navigate their way home. MIQ may have served its purpose, but for two years it was also the source of frustration and heartache.

I’ve heard too many stories where a bit of common sense should’ve seen an emergency allocation or exemption granted which were instead met with standardised rejection letters. I really feel for those people who went to Australia for a short break, only to find the door home slammed shut and having to live with months of uncertainty.

With Omicron now in our community, we’re all adjusting to life in the red traffic light setting. An extended period in this setting will have a huge impact on the Coromandel. It’ll be our hospitality, tourism and events sectors which will once again bear the brunt of the restrictions. We’ve already seen events like the

Hootananny and Beach Hop cancelled or postponed. These events were great for showcasing all that our communities have to offer and kept our towns buzzing beyond the peak holiday periods.

We can take steps to mitigate the risk of Covid, like getting our booster shot as soon as we are eligible, but we also need to make plans for the possibility that we will be exposed to the virus. If you live alone, get in touch with friends and family to ensure that you’ll be able to get food delivered if you have to isolate. Similarly, if you’re part of a larger household, take some time to think about how you will manage if you’re required to isolate.