Details About Your Stay in a Managed Isolation Facility After Arriving in NZ

Managed Isolation Facility After Arriving in NZ
The New Zealand government and the Immigration authorities have been performing a superb job since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world. The government has not only dealt the situation with strong hands, but its phenomenal actions that have been taken in tandem with the immigration, legal, education and employment bodies of the country has ensured an almost ‘fairy tale’ situation with the citizens, expats and migrants stationed in the country hardly getting affected.
It is true that the viral pandemic created a lot of job loss and casualties initially, but these visionary actions taken by the country’s top bodies have minimized the suffering of the people and ensured minimal casualties while trying to streamline the job ecosystem and maintain prosperity.

However, the most striking actions have been taken by Immigration NZ. Apart from introducing several ingenious visas like the Critical Purpose Visitor Visa, the short-term COVID-19 Visitor Visa, it has also extended several temporary work visas, while putting in more work opportunities for the Skilled Migrant category. These actions have been carefully taken to combat the unexpected situation that the viral pandemic has created all across the world. Currently, NZ has the least number of casualties and infections due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has also allowed several nations to initiate travel to the country.

According to the Honorable Minister of Immigration – Kris Faafoi, and the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the above steps along with stringent health and welfare regulations will ensure the well-being of the countrymen while trying to revive the entire nation and its various industrial sectors that had suffered a blow due to the pandemic.

Managed Isolation Upon Arriving in NZ

If you or your family plan to travel to NZ during the COVID-19 outbreak condition, you need to enter a managed isolation facility upon arrival. The country, as said before, had introduced several visa exemptions and opened its borders for special cases of travel due to critical reasons. This is a mandatory step initiated by the government of NZ to ensure all travelers and citizens are safe in the country. Further, they also want to identify if anyone is dealing with COVID-19 symptoms when they arrive here and neutralize those issues efficiently.

The initiative for managed isolation due to COVID-19 gained appraisal from the international community for tackling the infected cases in 2020-2021. Book a consultation with our immigration experts to get more information on managed isolation facilities. Our immigration experts will provide you necessary counsel about entering a managed isolation facility upon arriving in NZ and how to get along with your stay in such a facility.

Facilities in Managed Isolation

Isolation facilities for people arriving in New Zealand are provided in different hotels of the various cities in NZ. Further, the section mentions different facilities available during managed isolation.
  • Free basic toiletries and refreshments on arrival, including tea and coffee
  • Unlimited access to WIFI and TV
  • Free laundry services.
  • Extra purchases or calls from your room landline will be charged separately.

Meals and Food

When you arrive in New Zealand, the authorities of managed isolation will take care of all your basic needs, from dormitory to laundry services. Further, three meals a day will be provided at your doorstep during the entire isolation period. Extra expenses will be incurred if you request anything from local grocery stores or supermarkets.
The chefs and cooks working in various Managed Isolation Facilities try their best to cater to dietary and medical needs while keeping in mind the various cultural tastes. However, it must be noted that hotel kitchens are not functioning as they generally do. Hence choices available are limited. You are not required to bring food with you. Also, remember that New Zealand has strict bio security laws for bringing food into the country.

Moving around and leaving your facility

While you manage isolation in the allocated locations, your movement and contact with other people will be tracked due to safety reasons. Movement outside your room will be allowed only under strict rules and regulations. Your stay will be inside a ‘bio – bubble,’ and you need to maintain a 2-meter distance from other people. Also, it is important to note that you are not permitted to meet any of your relatives and family members when you are quarantined for a certain period.
Remember, your friends and family cannot come to visit you during your stay in the Managed Isolation Facility. This control measure is being implemented to protect you and others from encountering COVID-19.
Managed isolation rules do not allow you to leave the isolation before 14 days. But there are certain conditions where you can leave the isolation area before 14 days of quarantine.
  • For taking part in the planned outdoor exercise as prescribed by medical practitioners.
  • In cases of emergency, you shall be permitted to leave the facility.
  • To access healthcare, you are allowed to leave the facility.
  • You are allowed to leave your original isolation facility if you have to shift to a different facility for health or infrastructural reasons.
It is important to note that you cannot leave the isolated place unless told to do so by authorized personnel of New Zealand.

Steps Taken by the Managed Isolation Staff to Ensure Safety

Wearing a mask

The COVID-19 virus has brought in the mask as our daily habit and friend. Doctors across the world have stressed the importance of wearing a mask to reduce the spread of this pandemic.
Inside the Managed Isolation Facility, you will be required to wear a mask:
  1.  When you are going outside your room
  2.  Someone else enters your room, for example – for cleaning or giving you food
  3.  When asked, you must put on a mask.
Proper instructions will be provided on how to put on a mask perfectly.

Medical Request

Suppose you are in a Managed Isolation Facility and you have a medical condition for which you need special equipment or treatments. In that case, You need to request a letter from your treatment provider which confirms your diagnosis and current treatment plan and outlines other needs (such as wheelchair, walker, shower chair, etc.) Also, keep it in mind to travel with at least 14 days of the medication you need.
If you require assistance with daily activities like dressing, showering, mobilizing, etc., you should apply for a family member or support person to join you in the facility. If you need to attend an urgent medical appointment or need to arrange for the same during your stay, you need to apply for a medical exemption to gain approval before you can do so. The Managed Isolation Facility authority needs to consent to your visit and must be convinced that the appointment cannot wait until you have completed your stay for two weeks. If you believe your medical condition cannot be addressed during your stay in an isolation facility, you need to apply for a medical exemption.

Conclusion

Proper arrangements and facilities by the government of NZ ensure safety and security to the travelers arriving in the country. Further, the article explains all the necessary facilities that managed isolation provides you when you step in here. Book a consultation with our immigration experts if you are confused and want to know more about managed isolation on your arrival. They will be happy to walk you through the entire process. It will safeguard your health and interests upon arrival in New Zealand.