Hotel sought to quarantine Antarctic staff

Some Antarctica workers heading to Scott Base will have to isolate twice before flying to the last coronavirus-free continent on earth.

Antarctica New Zealand is looking for accommodation within a reasonable distance of Christchurch Airport where groups of workers can go into isolation before flying down to the ice.

Supply flights to the icy continent were due to begin again yesterday due to stormy weather.

About 100 workers will be going to New Zealand’s Antarctic facility Scott Base this season, travelling in groups of eight to 23 people on flights running between October 2 and February 1.

Seven of those are flying in from abroad, so they will have to clear two weeks of governmentmanaged isolation before isolating again for Antarctica NZ.

Activity on the ice has been reduced this season to try to keep Antarctica virus-free, with only essential maintenance and longterm research projects being undertaken.

Workers – including Scott Base staff, scientists and maintenance contractors – will isolate individually for six days before being able to mingle in their ‘‘flight bubble’’ after they pass a Covid-19 test.

Antarctica NZ spokesman Simon Trotter said the organisation was focused on keeping the continent Covid-19 free. He could not comment on the isolation costs but said this would come out of Antarctica NZ’s operational budget.

Meanwhile, flights to the ice will soon resume, allowing supplies to be dropped off to the winter team of 11 at Scott Base.

It was last restocked in midApril, so the team are hanging out for fresh fruit, vegetables and other supplies.

The flights will also carry equipment such as the Sea Ice Probe, which measures sea ice coverage, contributing to a data record that began more than 20 years ago.

The first flight is a United States Airforce C-17, carrying Antarctica NZ supplies as part of the joint logistics pool with the United States Antarctic Program.

A C-17 with 30 US military personnel arrived in Christchurch in early August, with those onboard having been under quarantine before they continue on to US bases in Antarctica.

In a normal year, National Antarctic Programmes travelling through New Zealand add almost $150 million to the economy, 2017 figures show.