With the numbers clamouring to travel showing no sign of abating the Government has appointed a London-based general agent whose sole job it is to supervise the whole process from beginning to end.
Having first passed a qualifying medical check, those accepted for travel will first be housed in purpose-built pre-departure facilities, or other accommodation specially licenced for the purpose, to await their travel day. At which point, and before they board their transport, travellers must pass another health check, failing which travel will be refused.
Upon arrival in New Zealand more health checks will be conducted and those new arrivals requiring quarantine will be housed in purpose built facilities adjacent to the point of disembarkation, before being cleared for release into the general community.
Properly administered these protocols should go a long way to alleviating the pressure on MIQ facilities here in New Zealand, and so accelerate the return of Kiwis to their homeland.
But the fact is, few if any of the protocols outlined in those first three paragraphs apply in today’s global Covid pandemic, but are a verbatim reporting of the rules which governed the immigration of New Zealand’s first settlers, laid down by Julius Vogel in the 1870s. *
And you might think that, with all the health and safety advances that have been made in the intervening 150 years, we should be able to establish something at least as comprehensive, to effectively and safely accommodate those clamouring to come home now.
If, for instance, our Victorian ancestors could organise off-shore facilities in which to quarantine those seeking passage, why can’t we do something similar and relieve the pressure on our on-shore MIQ arrangements, and that of the terrible lottery process people have to endure?
Buggered if I know.
- Reference: Vogel and the Immigrants, Chapter 10 “The Immigrants” by Tony Potter, Godwith Publishing 1997,
‘
You mean like purpose build MIQ facilities that people have talked about since the beginning of this Covid mess? Well the problem it seems lies with the words ‘ purpose build’. That would be hard work, much harder then saying to stranded NZ Citizens you are on your own and please apply for asylum in countries that make us look good. And now be kind.
@ Sabine.
You, and everyone else, must watch this by Russell Brand.
Try it. Don’t let assumptions fuck up your enduring education that’s AKA ‘Life’. 14.45 minutes. That’s a cup of tea and a biscuit’s worth of time. Interestingly, he also mentions Prime minister Adern and her reference to The Kingdom.
“Vaccine passports are being increasingly integrated into society – but are they the key to reanimating public life or the linchpin of a global surveillance network?”
https://youtu.be/_SyYMZ9UanM
Great work @ M.E.
trust me mate if you have phone or a ‘puter, they don’t need a vax pass to tell you what colour skiddies your wearing today…..they really really don’t.
Once again Malcolm, you seem to be the only person with access to the mainstream public forum with your brain engaged. Expect a knock on your door soon, it will be Jacinda’s private guard offering a trip to inspect their new “Quarantine and Cleansing” facilities. If you wish to decline this invitation please repeat after me… THoUgHt iS tHe EnEmY, FeAr iS tHe FuTuRe.
There’s an announcement today: They’re bleeding to death in the polls so watch the government fold on this whole MIQ circus.
Because #the science LOL
Yes Andrew you are correct all their so called principals will vanish in pursuit of votes.
Power over principle as one commenter has already said.
Meanwhile nothing for the poor and needy of our country.
Nice John spoken like a true tory.
If that reply is to me then thank you for compliments.
Jeremy, Bert is actually Clarke Gayford doing his neverending “RA RA JACINDA” act. So just call him Clarke from now on.
Grand idea TKN
Very well anticipated Andrew they have relented in the pursuit of votes and taken the advice from National/Act and the business community.
Really? Sounds similar to what the government had already announced before Christmas.
Changes to re-opening plan
“To slow the rapid spread we have seen overseas, we are pushing out the start of non-MIQ travel until the end of February 2022.
“There’s no doubt this is disappointing and will upset many holiday plans, but it’s important to set these changes out clearly today so they can have time to consider those plans.
“COVID-19 keeps throwing new curve balls and we have to respond in a way that continues to protect lives and livelihoods without putting in place restrictions and lockdowns unless absolutely necessary.
“Waiting till the end of February will increase New Zealand’s overall protection and slow Omicron’s eventual spread.
As it turns out, they are following #science!
Well, the latest version of it….
It turns out that research undertaken at the world renowned Johns Hopkins University shows that lockdowns did more harm than good. (If you don’t laugh you’ll cry)
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/johns-hopkins-analysis-lockdowns-should-be-rejected-out-of-hand/
The science is showing that in a highly vaccinated population Omicron is a mild variant, with lower rates of the population requiring intensive care.
Hopefully Labour will adjust covid rules and requirements in accordance with changed conditions ,,,,in a timely but not reckless manner.
Sour grapes and delusions from NZs harder right,,,, that ‘red cindys’ Labour Govt made right wing world leaders show that their rigid ideaolgy made them more stupid and outsmarted by a virus that has no brain …..
I forgot the link ,,, https://youtu.be/n3SBrVWL1dw?t=307
On ya bike then Andy no body is forcing you to stay here with us so called bigoted fascists.
Andy people like you need to pull ya head in as we have one of the lowest Covid death rates in the world. And why can’t people be thankful of that.
Agree covid is pa (What’s pa?) Let’s not be too caught up in jabbing with one-liners all the way down a thread. But you did force Andy to put down some facts which is good.
My point to his points about Omicron is that what he says about it getting through our some immunisations is right, and we do have to take that on board but – and here is the major fact O’ve absorbed from reading the info from our reliable professionals – our hospitals could get overwhelmed very quickly at all levels if we go open slather, and we need to control the curve. We need to flatten out the numbers with controls, and keep a cap on the infections, with continual emphasis on good practice and resilience.
Then we will get through with a level of pandemic that we can handle, over a longer period. This way won’t result in a sudden, shocking rise for many people with many deaths, but overall hopeful and bearable though there are difficult times still to navigate through.
Our hospitals are already overwhelmed and not delivering for many NZers. pa = per annum
Sweden and what was their mortality rate?
Sweden and what was their mortality rate?
It’s all punitive measures now to punish the unvaccinated for daring to not comply under the jackboot of the government. Nothing to do with health. Nothing to do with science. I used to think we were better than this, but here we are.
Nah its all about the global transfer of wealth, it aint no pandemic, never was. Bill gates could tell you that. Anyways, all this is besides the point; What about the workers?!!?
I got harassed by a Countdown New Plymouth checkout operator today who didn’t like the look of my cloth mask. This shop Karen (I think it was a woman) called her manager on me for daring to ask what she was on about, and when I informed him that if he wasn’t going to hassle the other dozen shoppers wearing cloth masks in the shop then we were going to have a problem. His response was to say his checkout operators have the right to deny service whenever they like without giving a reason, that the government was supposedly going to ban cloth masks in supermarkets (just wtf that had to do with anything at that moment I don’t know), that he didn’t have a written policy on wearing masks after I requested it, and to top it off, the manager said if I didn’t like being hassled by his staff then I should shop elsewhere. What a guy, what a manager, and all this after conforming to the mask mandate and minding my own business.
This piss poor excuse for a medical emergency has created a nation of horrible gatekeepers intent on busting the balls of anyone not conforming to their ridiculous worldview. And the creepy vaxxer sulking seems to be escalating now that their precious police state is starting to unravel. Jam your masks and your vaccines and your little rules up your arse you brain dead sellouts.
…”Jam your masks and your vaccines and your little rules up your arse you brain dead sellouts”…
Good on you @ Jody.
Ardern also presented with this chin scratching tic in that infamous ‘that is what this is’ interview.
Don’t forget the knitted brow and head turned sideways in that faux ‘concerned’ look. ”I feel for you”. Pull the other one, lady.
“That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there anything of which it may be said,
“See, this is new”?
It has already been in ancient times before us.”
The above words were written about 2900 years ago
Yeah, – and when the Egyptian workers on the pyramids didn’t get their daily ration of garlic they all went on strike ! So what about the bloody workers?!!? FFS !!!
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