Returnee’s plea: Let me stay at home

A retiree who underwent life-saving heart surgery in Australia is pleading with Government officials to let him out of MIQ to quarantine at his Wellington home.

Richard Tweedie, 75, who is staying at the Sheraton by Four Points in downtown Auckland, is desperate to be moved to continue specialist treatment after landing back in New Zealand this week.

Although he had managed to secure a place on an emergency flight home, his application to quarantine in his Wellington home had been denied, and staying in his managed isolation “prison” was affecting his health, he said.

However, an MIQ spokeswoman said they hadn’t found an application for exemption from Tweedie since he arrived in New Zealand.

“We understand that being in managed isolation can be challenging . . . Nurses are available 24/7 at the facilities to support returnees and help them access care. If returnees have any concerns for their health and wellbeing, it is important for them to talk with a health professional.”

After undergoing a serious heart operation — which wasn’t offered in New Zealand — on June 9 in Sydney, his recuperation was now being compromised. Medical issues were developing and MIQ officials appeared to be having difficulty getting specialist help for him, he claimed.

“My heart needs monitoring and my pacemaker needs adjusting and my medicine needs reviewing and I’m getting none of that in this place.”

The MIQ spokeswoman said facilities were equipped to deal with medical needs that didn’t require hospitallevel care.

“If Mr Tweedie’s condition can no longer be managed in the facility, or there is an emergency, he may be transported to hospital to ensure he receives appropriate care.”

If returnees need to attend urgent medical appointments during their stay, this could be arranged by the on-site manager with advice from a medical professional.

Three positive cases and two historical cases of Covid-19 were reported in New Zealand's managed isolation facilities yesterday.