Three face deportation for breach

Three visitors to New Zealand face being deported after failing to self-isolate. Two of the people arrived from Southeast Asia.

The pair had put New Zealanders at risk and were being removed from the country, Immigration NZ said.

INZ compliance and verification general manager Stephen Vaughan said the tourists’ behaviour was unacceptable.

“This kind of behaviour is completely irresponsible and will not be tolerated which is why these individuals have been made liable for deportation,” he said.

“They are currently being quarantined. If they fail to depart after quarantine, they will be arrested and detained under the Immigration Act.”

The Government’s travel restrictions, which took effect at 1am Monday, require all international travellers arriving in this country to self-isolate for 14 days. Only people arriving from the Pacific are exempt.

The third person is a tourist who arrived in New Zealand on Monday.

She is facing deportation after officials found she had no clear plans to self-isolate.

The woman checked into

Rucksacker backpackers hostel in Christchurch on Monday night wearing a face mask. She did not show any flu symptoms nor had she mixed with other hostel residents, it’s understood.

The hostel manager, who asked not to be named, said the woman, who was apparently travelling on her own for a fortnight trip and had a preexisting booking, was checked into a private room.

But yesterday morning, Ministry of Health officials arrived at the hostel to question the woman about her selfisolation plans, before police officers showed up to take her away.

“She was a little bit stressed out but she wasn’t creating a scene or anything,” the hostel manager told the Herald.

“I got told that she was being taken to be put on a plane.”

Vaughan said the Government’s travel restrictions and requirements to self-isolate would help save lives.

“It is important that all travellers to New Zealand abide with those requirements.

“New Zealand is going hard, and going early, to do everything it can to protect New Zealand from Covid19 and INZ is committed to doing all it can to help protect New Zealand during this uncertain time.”