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Many of you asked how I got to be here in New Zealand and about my experience in MIQ (Managed Isolation/Quarantine) so here’s another thread if you’re interested. (Warning: LONG)
No, NZ hasn’t re-opened the country to visitors. We can be here because my husband is a Kiwi.
No, NZ hasn’t re-opened the country to visitors. We can be here because my husband is a Kiwi.
There’s an illness in his family, so we decided to come back. NZ citizens and their spouses are allowed to return, but we must first apply for vouchers to guarantee our place in MIQ, which is the government-run program for returnees from abroad.
Managed Isolation/Quarantine period is 14 days long. The capacity for the whole MIQ program is only about 4,500 people. So there’s a long queue to get the vouchers. Besides NZ citizens, some essential workers and others with “critical purposes” are also allowed to come.
MIQ hotels locate up and down the country—and range from simple airport hotels to fancy 5* hotels. You don’t get to choose where you go unfortunately. You and your flight mates are allocated spaces based on availability when your flight arrives.
Our final destination in NZ is in Auckland, but when our flight landed here in December there was no MIQ space left in all of greater Auckland, so we were put on another flight down to Christchurch to spend our fourteen days!
From the time we landed at AKL to our check-in at our MIQ hotel (the Novotel at Christchurch airport) we were greeted and ushered through the process by official workers in full PPEs. From border control to health check all the way to when we checked into our hotel room.
There was no contact at all with anyone outside of official workers. And no one not in PPEs.
Our hotel room was about 450sqf (40sqm). One bathroom. Three meals a day delivered. There’s a scheduled time you’re allowed out each day based on the space available at each hotel.
Our hotel room was about 450sqf (40sqm). One bathroom. Three meals a day delivered. There’s a scheduled time you’re allowed out each day based on the space available at each hotel.
The cost for the MIQ is covered by the govt if you’re returning NZ citizens who will remain more than 90 days in the country. If your stay is shorter (like us) or if you’ve already returned once, left, and returning again, the cost is between NZ$ 3-5k for a single or couple.
When we arrived in Dec (before the worrying news about the more infectious variants) we were tested on day 3 & day 12. Currently they test you right on day 1. Those who test negative can remain in their Managed Isolation hotel, the + ones are moved into more restricted quarantine
How was it in Managed Isolation? Well, 40 m2 for two people was kind of cramped. Especially since my husband M is on Zoom pretty much from 6am-3pm (his work hours back in SF). We survived mostly thanks to noise-canceling headphones.
Each morning we had breakfast in our “morning salon”, which comprised a lounge chair, table, and a work chair on the right side of our bed by the window. After which M set up his workspace with the laptop camera pointing to his face & out the window so I have some privacy.
I’d move the one lounge chair & mini table out of Zoom camera range to the other side of the bed for my “day salon” so I don’t have to spend the entire day working in bed.
After 3 when he’s done with work we’d go outside. We had to keep our mask on every time we leave the room.
After 3 when he’s done with work we’d go outside. We had to keep our mask on every time we leave the room.
We had to sign out w/ a military officer before we exit the building out to the double-fenced, guarded courtyard, and then back in with him when we’re ready to return so they know we haven’t absconded over the fence. There were signs everywhere telling us to “stay in our bubble”.
That’s to say not to interact with anyone else. There’s a one way route around the courtyard that we can do our brisk walk or run to exercise without crossing paths with too many people. No drinking or eating outside. Of course 
on the whole time.
on the whole time.
Our food was delivered to us 3x a day, left in front of our door with a knock, in paper bags w/ compostable utensils. We were told to put mask on even just to retrieve the food. We’re given garbage bags for trash. Everything that left our room had to first be sealed in those bags
How was the food? Well, it was mostly edible. Some days were even good. But of course I’m a chef/restaurateur so I am shall we say a snob 
Luckily we were allowed to get food delivered (sadly only via ubereats) and also from one nearby supermarket (yay fresh fruits & vegs!)
Luckily we were allowed to get food delivered (sadly only via ubereats) and also from one nearby supermarket (yay fresh fruits & vegs!)
Shout out to many delicious Christchurch Indian restaurants for getting us through our MIQ blues! Also shout out to this one brand of lemony Tzatziki from Countdown that stood in for the mostly too-sweet salad dressings we got from the hotel! (See above re:snob)
Side note: I got off capsicum (bell peppers) for like a month post MIQ because we got capsicum in our salads (and other things) EVERY DAY. Man-oh-man you Kiwis love your capsicums!! 
If you’re about to go into MIQ, do bring a coffee plunger (French press) + beans & a small knife+cutting board for cutting up veg/cheese. Also metal utensils bc the bamboo ones we got were 
useless! A bottle of gin wouldn’t hurt, you can’t order in booze but you can tonic! 
useless! A bottle of gin wouldn’t hurt, you can’t order in booze but you can tonic!
We got our negative result from 2nd test back on day 13, so we were released after 14 days. That’s 14x24 hrs to the precise time we landed in Auckland. Got a little prep talk on the way out about the Covid app for our phone and about scanning the QR code everywhere we go etc.
We were then cleared to board a plane back to our original destination, Auckland. I think ours was a special chartered flight to return folks from the same arrival flight as us back to Auckland. We got back home just in time for Christmas with the family. 
Three days after we left MIQ we were contacted again via email and text to check in on us, just in case. I believe this was how they found out about the lady who developed symptoms after she left MIQ.
Through out the process, everyone was courteous & professional. Being confined in a small room for 2 wks wasn’t easy, but we felt safe coming home to an elderly cancer patient having gone through it. We are ever so grateful. Kia ora Aotearoa for having me 
