Common topics for media questions
Answers to the most requested information and data. Information on these pages can be attributed to a managed isolation and quarantine spokesperson.
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In this section
Cleaning and infection prevention
Managed Isolation and Quarantine takes the safety of workers and their families, whānau and broader communities very seriously.
Cohorting
From 11.59pm on 28 April a new ‘very high risk country’ category was introduced in order to significantly reduce the number of infected people flying to New Zealand.
Emergency allocations of managed isolation vouchers
Places in managed isolation are often limited due to high demand. There is a very restrictive emergency allocation criteria and this is a last resort option with a very high threshold. It is important to note that people still need to complete their 14 days managed isolation.
Exemptions from managed isolation
Managed isolation and quarantine is an important part of New Zealand’s border measures to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand.
Facilities
We have 31 facilities in 5 regions. There are currently no plans to establish managed isolation or quarantine facilities in any other locations.
Fees and waivers
In August 2020, fees were introduced for managed isolation and quarantine because it wasn’t sustainable for the Government and tax payers to continue to fund all the costs.
MIQ capacity
Capacity in Managed Isolation and Quarantine is measured in rooms rather than beds as regardless of how many beds are in a room it can only hold one bubble.
MIQ staff
On any given day there are around 4,500 people working in our 31 facilities. The number can change, based on capacity demands and the needs of returnees. Staff work in shifts, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Quarantine free travel to New Zealand
Quarantine-free travel is expected to “free up” a maximum of 1,000-1,300 rooms in MIQ facilities each fortnight.
Returnees who refuse testing
The legal basis for returnees entering isolation or quarantine when entering New Zealand is included in the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Isolation and Quarantine) Order 2020.
Staff COVID-19 testing
Testing is fundamentally the obligation of employers and employees – under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Order 2020 employees are responsible for getting tested and the employer is responsible for ensuring their employees are being tested and keeping the Border Worker Testing Register information up to date.
Staff vaccination
All work in MIQ facilities is undertaken by vaccinated workers.
Supporting mental health
Managed isolation or quarantine is a challenging time that affects people going through it in different ways.
Vouchers and the Managed Isolation Allocation System
Managed Isolation and Quarantine is aware that travelling around the world right now is not simple or easy and acknowledges that there are many people in really difficult situations as a result of this global pandemic.