A change to border rules in New Zealand meant some travellers had to spend Christmas in hotel quarantine, despite planning to be with family
For New Zealanders living abroad, securing a place in the country's managed isolation facilities is extremely difficult. But on Tuesday last week, the New Zealand government extended his stay after a case of Omicron was detected on his flight.UPDATES: Read our round-up of the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic"Because the whole purpose of the trip was to come home for Christmas Day to see my family I haven't seen for a long time," he said.
"We acknowledge that this may cause inconvenience for some people, however, COVID-19 isn't taking a break for Christmas and it is important we remain vigilant over the festive season."A spokesperson for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet COVID Group said they were working to "help people get home as soon as possible".
Despite 91 per cent of New Zealanders having two shots of Pfizer's vaccine and a national seven-day rolling average daily case number of 51, the government pulled back on a promise to make getting home easier for Kiwis stranded abroad. Mr Hipkins also announced New Zealand would shorten the gap between second vaccine doses and boosters from six to four months, meaning 82 per cent of vaccinated citizens would be due for a booster by February.At the time, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said "it's unfortunately not a case of if, but when" Omicron spreads in New Zealand.
New Zealand has managed its response to the pandemic far better than any Australian state - only 40 odd covid deaths. Far far better than the disasters of NSW and Victoria. Australia seems to not want to admit that New Zealand got it largely correct and they did not COVID19
NZ isolated from the rest of the world for ever
Australia is the lesson nz is learning from , NSW opened up and is now paying the price ! Commendations to all you healthworkers !!
Lock Omicron out so people can have fun with 25 prostitutes at the same time?
Qld,SA,TestCases.
NZers overwhelmingly stand by this goat's response. This is a RW astro-turf campaign.
At least NZ always communicates their plans well. We were told - “we have a National Plan”. States were held to ransom and now we are in a situation that doesn’t remotely resemble anything that the “Plan” set out.
Stay strong NZ.
New Zealand is dead right to try to keep out omicron and the whiners need to stop whinging and be glad the lives of the family members are protected. Unlike New South Wales! This bloke needs to get over himself!
The story underpins my view that people of privelege are flitting in and out like COVID doesn’t exist. The people who needed to come home have had their opportunity. This sad face is all about inconvenience.
Ardern can‘t win.
At least you are trying to protect your people.
After relentlessly attacking state border closures in Australia, we’re now trying the same with New Zealand? Fortunately they’re a sovereign country and they’ll be able to witness the ideologically-driven storm of incompetence on the other side of the ditch and try to avoid it
Good luck with that it’s not going anywhere
Haha what a bunch of dreamers