Isolation costs underestimated, papers show

WELLINGTON: The Government massively underestimated the number of people who would be returning to New Zealand — and the cost of keeping them in managed isolation, documents released yesterday show.

The hundreds of documents related to the Government’s pandemic response included a Cabinet paper on April 17 that put the estimated cost of managed isolation hotels at $195 million for the first six months, based on 190 arrivals a day.

However, in the first two and ahalf months, the bill has already hit about $80 million and is now forecast to reach $500 million by the end of the year.

Isolation Facilities Minister

Megan Woods this week announced plans to charge those who enter New Zealand temporarily or leave after the new regulations come into force.

This is expected to recoup less than $10 million.

Another paper from June 17 on allowing the resumption of transit visas noted the risk that some people could be stranded in New Zealand as border restrictions changed at short notice.

‘‘If their next country after New Zealand refuses to let them board, there may not be another flight back to [the country they just left] so the passenger will have to stay in Auckland in managed isolation.’’

The Government expects the already high and increasing rates of homelessness will be made worse by the social and economic impacts of Covid19.

According to a Cabinet committee report on homelessness, more than 1000 individuals have been housed in motels across the country.

It says an increase in unemployment and income reductions are expected to further increase homelessness in both the short and long term.

It notes that at the beginning of July, demand for emergency housing special needs grants had already gone up 42% over the 10week period from the start of Alert Level 4.

Business owners could have faced prison or hefty fines for refusing to display government QR codes, under options considered by Cabinet.

In a paper from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on June 8, Cabinet was asked to decide whether to require businesses to display QR codes or merely encourage them to do so.

‘‘My recommendation is to take a voluntary approach at this time, but with the knowledge that the option to make it a legal requirement is available if required,’’ she wrote.

The paper noted there would also be ‘‘challenges for enforcement’’ of a mandatory approach.

The Health Ministry dismissed pleas from intensive care specialists for highergrade masks for health workers dealing with Covid patients.

A Cabinet paper from June 2 noted a request from an expert advisory group to revise ministry guidelines on protective masks in intensive care units.

The ministry recommends surgical masks for all healthcare workers in contact with suspected or confirmed Covid cases, and the use of N95 masks during risky procedures.

The group recommended N95 respirator masks be used by all healthcare workers and those doing risky procedures be given N100 grade masks.

However, the ministry said there was no clinical evidence that N100 respirators provided greater protection ‘‘and recommends that there is no change to the current guidance’’. — RNZ