Tagged: quarantine

Featured image: It’s still too soon for NZ to relax COVID-19 border restrictions for travellers from low-risk countries

It’s still too soon for NZ to relax COVID-19 border restrictions for travellers from low-risk countries - COVID-19

Guest Author • Feb 06, 2021 •

Michael Plank, University of Canterbury and Shaun Hendy, University of Auckland Relaxing border restrictions for travellers from low COVID-19 risk countries would increase the risk of community cases in New Zealand by around 25%, says an article published yesterday in the New Zealand Medical Journal. This might not sound like a big increase in risk, but it means breaches … Read More

Featured image: Aristocracy of Pull continues

Aristocracy of Pull continues - The Dismal Science

Eric Crampton • Jan 18, 2021 •

RNZ reports on continued arbitrariness on decisions at the border.  British comedian Russell Howard is about to tour New Zealand and other acts allowed in through managed isolation this summer include drag queen RuPaul and musicians at Northern Bass in Mangawhai and the Bay Dreams festival. The vice-president of the Promoters Association, Gray Bartlett, said despite being an approved … Read More

Featured image: Time to Stop Dodging Bullets? NZ’s Eight Recent Border Control Failures

Time to Stop Dodging Bullets? NZ’s Eight Recent Border Control Failures - Public Health Expert

Public Health Expert • Nov 17, 2020 •

Prof Nick Wilson, Dr Leah Grout, Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, Prof Michael Baker There have been eight distinct border control failures in Aotearoa/NZ relating to the pandemic virus that causes COVID-19, since early August 2020, equivalent to one every two weeks. In this blog we briefly detail these failures and argue the case for an urgent review and upgrading of … Read More

Featured image: New Zealand needs a ‘traffic light’ system to stop COVID-19 creeping in at the border

New Zealand needs a ‘traffic light’ system to stop COVID-19 creeping in at the border - COVID-19

Guest Author • Nov 06, 2020 •

Nick Wilson, University of Otago and Michael Baker, University of Otago Following the sixth COVID-19 incursion in three months, New Zealand needs to shift from a one-size-fits-all strategy to a risk-based approach to border management. Two staff have recently tested positive after coming into contact with international seafarers in the course of their duties at a managed isolation facility … Read More

Featured image: How to strengthen the post-isolation Covid rules

How to strengthen the post-isolation Covid rules - Infectious Thoughts

Siouxsie Wiles • Sep 21, 2020 •

Over the weekend, the Ministry of Health reported a case of Covid-19 in Auckland that is not related to the current Auckland cluster. Before we start to panic, here’s how I think the case happened and how we can strengthen our current border controls. The new Covid-19 case is someone who returned to New Zealand from India on August 27. Read More

Featured image: What does a robust Covid response look like for New Zealand?

What does a robust Covid response look like for New Zealand? - Infectious Thoughts

Siouxsie Wiles • Aug 23, 2020 •

Because we don’t have widespread community transmission of Covid-19 in New Zealand, our response managing our border and responding to any outbreaks will also help the rest of the world understand more about Covid-19. Let me explain how, and what I think a robust Covid-19 response looks like at least in the short term. Controls at the border are all … Read More

Featured image: Borders and Bubbles

Borders and Bubbles - The Dismal Science

Eric Crampton • Aug 11, 2020 •

There’s no Covid on the Cook Islands. But isolation-free travel into New Zealand from the Cooks looks to be a long way off.  The Prime Minister confirmed on Monday that Cabinet had considered draft text being worked on via officials which will become the basis of an agreement for quarantine-free travel between the Cook Islands and New Zealand. “That draft … Read More

Featured image: Safe arrivals

Safe arrivals - The Dismal Science

Eric Crampton • Jul 29, 2020 •

If entry into New Zealand from abroad is safe, it should be allowed.  People arriving from places that are Covid-free, or no more risky than New Zealand, and who get here on flights that do not intersect with risky places, should return to normal travel arrangements. Currently, the Cook Islands, the rest of New Zealand’s Pacific Island realm, and Taiwan … Read More

Featured image: There is no legal right to free quarantine — but there is a fair way to set the price

There is no legal right to free quarantine — but there is a fair way to set the price - COVID-19

Guest Author • Jul 22, 2020 •

Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato Welcome home – now here’s your invoice. The debate over whether New Zealand should charge arriving Kiwis for quarantine has divided opinion, but one thing is clear: citizens and permanent residents have the right to return home. However, like many other liberties, this right can be subject to reasonable limits, especially during times of global … Read More

Featured image: How New Zealand could keep eliminating coronavirus at its border for months to come, even as the global pandemic worsens

How New Zealand could keep eliminating coronavirus at its border for months to come, even as the global pandemic worsens - COVID-19

Guest Author • Jul 17, 2020 •

Michael Plank, University of Canterbury; Alex James, University of Canterbury; Audrey Lustig, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research; Nicholas Steyn; Rachelle Binny, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, and Shaun Hendy Stringent border controls and mandatory quarantine give New Zealand a good chance to remain free of COVID-19 for months to come, according to our latest modelling. It’s been 76 … Read More