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NEW ZEALAND WILL not fully reopen its borders until October, as it cautiously dismantles some of the world’s toughest pandemic border restrictions, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said.
Ardern announced a five-step plan to reconnect New Zealand to the rest of the world, beginning with waiving hotel quarantine requirements for Kiwis stranded overseas by the pandemic.
She said New Zealanders in Australia could return home and self-isolate, rather than going into quarantine, from 27 February, followed two weeks later by Kiwis elsewhere in the world.
The border quarantine regime will then be progressively relaxed to allow in other groups such as skilled migrants, international students, Australians and then all vaccinated foreign nationals.
“It’s time to move again,” Ardern said almost two years after sealing off the South Pacific nation to combat the pandemic.
“Families and friends need to reunite, our businesses need skills to grow, exporters need to travel to make new connections.”
Under the new system, international arrivals will self-isolate for 10 days, rather than undergoing a 10-day quarantine monitored by New Zealand military personnel.
Only 800 rooms per month are available under the current quarantine system, with demand regularly exceeding supply tenfold, and many New Zealanders criticised it as too harsh on international arrivals who came into the country fully vaccinated.
There were numerous stories of overseas-based Kiwis who could not get back to see dying loved ones or give birth in their homeland, such as pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis.
Bellis prompted a rare about-face from officials this week when she was given an quarantine spot after claiming she would have to deliver her baby in Afghanistan after her initial request was rejected.
Ardern said the quarantine system – known locally as MIQ – had been a key part of New Zealand’s success containing the pandemic, with only 53 deaths recorded in a population of five million.
“The anguish of MIQ has been real and heartbreaking but the choice to use it undeniably saved lives,” she said.
New Zealand initially planned to start easing border controls last month and fully reopen in April but delayed the move as the Omicron variant emerged.
She said New Zealand’s high vaccination rate – almost 95% of the population is double-jabbed, with a third also receiving a booster – meant change was now possible.
The quarantine system will not be completely dismantled as it will still be needed to cater for unvaccinated international arrivals.
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Unions… the bane of Ireland and our public sectors
@john Appleseed: Sure and we should replace them with bankers and bondholders and all of our problems would be solved overnight.
@Charles Williams: so bankers are a bunch of crooks so therefore we should accept our unions are a bunch of crooks too? Whataboutery at its finest
@john Appleseed: You’re thinking of governments
7.4%….and they even have to think twice about taking it? Most people would bite your hand offf for that sort of rise.
The real problem in the Health Service is the Union mentality. Old fashioned Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 mentality with not a finger lifted unless explicity written down on some contract. The Unions are the reason the health service is in such a state.
@Fred Jensen: nurses only work 9-5 Mon to Fri!!! Who is running the A&E Depts outside of those hours?
@MaryLoonyMcDonald:
A skeleton crew. It’s not just nurses, its all the other staff.
@Fred Jensen: There is a reason for “not lifting a finger before it is written in a contract”. It’s called reneging on a deal. Something the Government are quite good at.
@Fred Jensen: but but but you said they are 9-5 Mon to Fri…no you say different…did you lie?
@Fred Jensen: The HSE management is the reason the health service is in such a state.
@MaryLoonyMcDonald:
Where did Fred say nurses only work 9 to 5? Try reading the post correctly before getting your knickers in a twist
@Fred Jensen: I Think Your Mixing Up Porter’s With Nurses
@Fred Jensen: Up to 7.4%. Most won’t get that. We can’t keep nurses in this country because we expect superhuman efforts for crap pay. It’s time nurses were respected and paid accordingly.
@Nick Allen: you read the post again…fool
@MaryLoonyMcDonald:
Those knickers are getting even more twisted. Take a deep breath and read it slowly and it may sink in.
@Piarais Mac Maoláin:
Yes Fred changed the topic slightly but it is still somewhat related. However, that doesn’t change the fact that he refereed to the HEalth Service and not nurses. Furthermore, he didn’t even say they anyone worked 9 to 5, he said it was the 9 to 5 attitude.
Mary Lou completely misread the post and jumped in accusing him of tell lies. She saw and opportunity to have a pop at someone and got her knickers in a twist and got it all wrong. She should either take in on the chin and say sorry or run and hide. Instead the silly girl comes back and suggests I am the fool and that I should read it again. Some people just never learn
@Nick Allen: you have some weird dyslexic fetish.
@Piarais Mac Maolàin: It’s the same for carers in nursing homes & they get crap pay even though they do the bulk of looking after residents. I don’t hear anyone up in arms over it.
@Caroline Reddy: Why should nurses be respected?
@MaryLoonyMcDonald:
Another stupid comment. Do you really find it amusing to make a joke of people with dyslexia? Face the facts, you screwed up and are now making a mess of trying to get out of it. Read Fred’s comment again and tell me where is said nurses work 9 to 5. Maybe you are not getting your knickers in a twist, maybe you’re just a bit dim and don’t have the ability to understand the comment.
@Piarais Mac Maoláin: my shift is 07:30 Am to 08:30pm… don’t forget those Haddington Road Hours we don’t get paid for! Many would give up that pay rise than have to come in an extra day a month for no pay!!! Great way to get work out of us
Time for nurses to stand firm and not be sold out by INMO again.What a disaster of a union
@John Mcloughlin:
I agree the union are a disaster but what are you suggesting the nurses should do? Stand firm for a greater increase?
Scurrilous when newly qualified nurses have to work for minimum wages in their first year when they can go to the likes of Canada, are appreciated and earn $45000
Union leaders who get full pay and more, recommend that workers settle for far less then normal wage. Nice.
@Patabake Kennedy: Union leaders don’t want members going on strike as they will have to give back some of their subscriptions.
Nevermind restoration. Give them an overall increase. Not all heroes wear capes but plenty wear scrubs. No one in favour of reducing their pay has spent time in their care. Invest in them, attract the best and reap the rewards in improved care and confidence.
Was the patient safety issue discussed, patients on trollys, overcrowding.
@@mdmak33: All the above are not the fault of the nurses. They don’t make policy. They can only make the best of what they are given.
Again the union turning its back on the nurses every time there is a chance of extra money for the nurses and the nurses need a good increase as they have been run over by the union time after time..Plenty of money for other front line workers but very little for the front line nurses
“Union recommends nurses don’t recieve back pay”. Bit of a obvious headline.
Liam is looking to feather his own retirement nest. More the fools if the members listen to him.
An absolute disaster of a union, only has members as they run the income protection insurance scheme. Liams wages have skyrocketed over the last 10 years, his members wages have fallen behind all front line professionals, bigger fools them, if they wont pay what your worth, walk out.
have your say