Diplomats bypass NZ’s virus facilities
Four people have used diplomatic immunity to dodge quarantine in official managed isolation facilities, including United States ambassador Scott Brown and his wife, Gail.
The Government is refusing to reveal which country the other envoys represent but says they complied with health rules while in self-isolation.
Since June 8, 94 foreign diplomats or their relatives have arrived in New Zealand and agreed to comply with tough restrictions in managed isolation facilities.
Stuff revealed yesterday that Brown was isolating in his Lower Hutt home after a recent trip to the US.
The New Zealand Government cannot force diplomats into managed isolation, because of international immunity rules laid down in the Vienna Convention.
But they do advise diplomats to undergo the 14-day stint in managed isolation facilities, which is mandatory for most other travellers to protect New Zealanders from exposure to Covid-19.
In a joint, written statement from the health and foreign affairs ministries, officials refused to answer specific and detailed questions.
The statement said: ‘‘For privacy reasons, we do not provide individual details in relation to diplomatic arrivals into New Zealand.
‘‘All foreign diplomatic arrivals have complied with New Zealand’s Covid-19 health measures. Those who opt to selfisolate are required to provide a selfisolation plan to the Ministry of Health (MOH), which includes arrangements for testing on day three and day 12 of the isolation period.
‘‘Since June 8, 2020, there has been a total of 98 people have completed these isolation requirements, this number includes both diplomats and their recognised family members. Of that 98, 94 have completed managed isolation, while four have completed self-isolation in accordance with guidelines agreed with MOH.’’
There are currently 20 foreign diplomats including family members in managed isolation, and two – the Browns – in selfisolation in New Zealand.
Five British diplomatic staff voluntarily entered government facilities, the British High Commission said.
In a statement, the Australian High Commission said: ‘‘Australian diplomats and officials travelling to and from New Zealand, including those who transit, are required to comply with New Zealand Government Covid-19 requirements.’’
The Japanese embassy said all staff ‘‘newly assigned’’ to New Zealand have completed two-week isolation ‘‘while informing MFAT that these arrangements do not in any way waive the privileges and immunities that the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand, its official staff and their families enjoy under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations’’.
The embassy did not clarify if this was self, or managed isolation.
The Chinese and Indian embassies did not respond to media requests.
Brown earlier told Stuff the couple had tested negative for the virus before leaving the US. ‘‘We have been very careful about wearing masks and observing social distancing guidelines during transit. We were successfully screened by health authorities on arrival in Auckland and again in Wellington.
‘‘Just like everyone else, we will be medically monitored while in isolation and tested again around day three and day 12. We will not leave isolation until those tests come back negative.’’
In Brown’s home country, the disease continues to claim nearly 1000 lives each day. There are now more than 5.7 million confirmed infections and about 178,000 deaths as a result of Covid-19 in the US.
Brown was a guest on Newshub yesterday morning, where he said his residence had ‘‘12-foot walls’’, guards and cameras. ‘‘We won’t be going in or out. We’re a team of five million, and we’re part of that team and have been adhering to all rules and regulations.’’
He also said he was not allowed to accept any government money.