‘Orderly’ exit for stranded foreigners
Tourists start returning to their home countries today under Govt-managed plan
Foreigners stranded in New Zealand will start leaving the country from today. Tens of thousands of holidaymakers will be able to make a “safe, orderly exit”, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said.
“When we moved into lockdown a week ago, the Government rightly prioritised public health, and limited the movement of people to restrict the spread of Covid-19,” Peters said.
“But it is clear many foreign nationals travelling here don’t have the resources or capability to adequately self-isolate, and wish to return home. We have taken the time and care to develop a seriously detailed plan for the exit of foreign nationals, without endangering the lives of others.”
Under the managed exit plan:
● Foreign nationals returning home will be considered to be engaging in “essential travel”, and therefore be able to travel domestically (whether by air or land) when they have a confirmed and scheduled international flight out of New Zealand, subject to requirements which will be set out on www.covid19.govt.nz
● Foreign governments will be allowed to organise charter flights to repatriate their citizens, but only if they can satisfy New Zealand health requirements
● Commercial capacity between New Zealand and Europe will be increased, by New Zealand approving a second daily flight between Doha and Auckland by Qatar Airways.
It is expected the first foreign government-organised charter flight could leave as early as tonight.
Peters said the public health and economic considerations of New Zealand and New Zealanders were paramount in the decision to facilitate the managed exit of foreign nationals.
“We are conscious that returning foreign nationals to their home countries will reduce the potential pressure on health services in New Zealand, and reduce the risk of welfare issues developing for those people who are stranded and unable to afford to be here much longer.”
He emphasised that travel restrictions associated with alert level 4 would continue to apply for all foreign nationals, except for those travelling to leave the country.
New Zealanders returning home from overseas would continue to be subject to strict screening and selfisolation requirements, and domestic travel by New Zealanders would continue to be reserved for essential workers only.
“Given that Air New Zealand intends to fly charter flights from New Zealand to Europe for European governments, we will explore the extent to which New Zealanders can return in the planes on the way back.”
Peters said foreign nationals seeking to leave New Zealand would not be allowed to leave self-isolation to travel if they are at risk of Covid
19. This includes anyone who:
● Has been diagnosed with Covid-19;
● Has symptoms consistent with Covid-19;
● Is waiting for Covid-19 results;
● Is a close contact of a suspected/ probable/confirmed case; or
● Has travelled internationally in the past 14 days. crisis had quickly escalated.
“I did not have any news during the four days I was walking between Ahipara and Kerikeri and a lot had changed,” he said.
Realising her son was unlikely to be able to leave but would face new challenges if he stayed, Gagnon’s mother Delphine contacted Gillies and arranged for him to stay.
“I was pleased to have relations to stay with,” he said. “I know a lot of people have not been so lucky.”
Lockdown has meant Gagnon has been making short walks around Sandringham instead of trekking through the bush. But it has already been a memorable trip, and not just because of the coronavirus crisis.
“I have seen a lot of beautiful scenery and experienced a lot of hospitality . . . Hopefully I will return and see more in the future.”