Waikato MIQ hotel switches to quarantine facility

One of Waikato’s three MIQ facilities will be converted to a quarantine location today as the region experiences a steady growth in Covid-19 cases.

Distinction Hamilton, one of three MIQ managed isolation facilities in Waikato, will move to housing local community cases, enabling them to stay in the region.

In a statement, MBIE said it was a temporary measure that will remain in place as long as it is needed.

Waikato reported three new cases yesterday, making a total of 31 from the current outbreak. One case is in Waikato Hospital.

‘‘We are making this change in partnership with the people of Tainui waka and other partner agencies who are supportive of local people being cared for locally,’’ said Joint Head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Brigadier Rose King.

‘‘Everyone is helping us to put this change into operation for the benefit of the community. This change will mean the region has 110 quarantine rooms available for community cases, dedicated to the local community.’’

The facility has seen breakouts previously, including a family of returnees who wanted to pay their respects to a dead family member, and one who wandered down Te Rapa Rd to a bottle store.

At the suggestion of Tainui waka iwi, Distinction Hamilton will now be known as an Amohia – Community Isolation Quarantine facility.

This has been endorsed by Kiingi Tuheitia, Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, and is drawn from the king’s tongikura: Amohia ake te ora o te iwi, ka puta ki te whei ao. To protect the wellbeing of our people is paramount.

‘‘As with all our MIQ facilities, all staff are vaccinated, we apply stringent infection prevention and control measures, and security and health staff ensure the safety of people both inside and outside the facility,’’ Brigadier King said.

Positive returnee cases identified through regular testing at the two other Hamilton managed isolation facilities (Ibis Tainui and Jet Park Hamilton) will continue to be transported safely and securely to Auckland quarantine facilities.

‘‘The other two Hamilton facilities remain as managed isolation facilities only.’’

Brigadier King said the move to make Distinction Hamilton a local facility will also help maintain quarantine capacity in Auckland.