Immigration Policy Updates Concerning Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities

    Confused About Visa Options?

    We’re Here to Help!

    What is 9 + 8 ?

    The NZ Government has taken massive steps in curbing the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the entire world was reeling from the pandemic, the Government ensured that it took the necessary measures to combat the viral infection spread successfully.

    But the Government has not stopped working hard to improve the situations significantly. Its efforts continue while the entire world is greeted by the news of vaccines and threatened by the emergence of new viral strains. While continuing temporary visa adjustments, the NZ Government has taken up the onus of welcoming its citizens safely and helping them navigate Managed Isolation and quarantine.

    Explore every avenue to return to your roots safely.

    The Government’s Efforts to Welcome New Zealanders Home Safely

    Every New Zealander- citizens and permanent residents have a legal right to return to their homeland. But the Government wants these citizens to do their part in stopping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and putting an end to the transmission of any new viral strains. Apart from the pre-departure COVID testing regulations, the Government has asked the people to complete 14 days in managed isolation or quarantine. It will ensure the people returning to their communities without spreading the virus further.

    The people staying in managed isolation or quarantine will be tested for the virus on the 0th/1st day, the 3rd day, and the 12th day. While there are rules and regulations regarding the approved tests, specific countries are exempted from them. People coming from Australia, Antarctica, and a host of Pacific island nations fall under this exemption. They will not even be tested on the 0th/1st day of their isolation or quarantine stay.

    Some countries do not require pre-departure COVID testing because of the absence of standard testing procedures. Suppose you are returning from a foreign country and want detailed information about these pre-departure tests. In that case, you can book a consultation with our immigration experts. They will give you a holistic view of the updates.

    What Is the Difference Between Quarantine and Managed Isolation?

    With the native population making it to its roots safely, NZ has successfully navigated the pandemic conundrum. More than 68,000 New Zealanders have completed managed isolation and have got back to their community.

    • But what is managed isolation?
    • How is it similar or different from a quarantine facility?

    Let’s try to answer that question.

    When you are arriving in New Zealand, you are screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Based on those tests, you get shifted to a managed isolation or a quarantine facility.

    • If a person has no symptoms of COVID-19, he or she will spend 14 days at a managed isolation facility. Within the controlled isolation facility, he or she will get tested on the 0th/1st, 3rd, and 12th day for COVID-19
    • If a person is showing symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19, he or she will be shifted to a quarantine facility

    Both managed isolation and quarantine facilities are located within hotels.

    How to Get Yourself Sorted Within a Managed Isolation Facility?

    Before flying to NZ, you need to secure a voucher that allocates a place for you within a managed isolation facility. You will not be granted permission to board the airlines without a voucher.

    But if you are exempted from using the Managed Isolation Allocation System, only then you might be allowed to board the airlines without a voucher. You simply need to register your credentials at the Managed Isolation Allocation System to obtain a voucher.

    How to Request an Emergency Allocation?

    The allocated spaces are limited, but hopefully, everything will fall into place with the change of travel plans. And for that, you need to continually monitor the Managed Isolation Allocation System for your preferred dates.

    But you also need to understand the process of requesting an emergency allocation. The emergency allocation process is set into motion for specific situations that entail urgent travel to NZ within the next 7 days. Book a consultation with our NZ immigration experts to get more clarity.

    Managed isolation facilities have minimal spaces. The conditions for requesting an emergency allocation in controlled isolation are:

    • You are legally entitled to enter New Zealand with the present border restrictions in place
    • You need to travel urgently to New Zealand. Whatever be the reasons for your travel, they are time-critical. You need to fly to New Zealand within the next 7 days
    • You are registered in the Managed Isolation Allocation System with proper credentials. Yet you are unable to book an allocation for the date of your urgent travel to NZ
    • Your situation falls under one of the two permitted categories
    • There is attached evidence supporting your application

    There is a specific website dealing with managed isolation and quarantine particulars. It is operated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE). It provides you the details about the travel categories permitted for emergency allocation and the supporting evidence when you request the same.

    Since very few such requests are granted, you need to be an early bird and book in advance in the allocation portal to guarantee your place.

    Conditions Regarding Charges for Managed Isolation

    There are a couple of conditions.

    You Are Not Charged for a Voucher

    You do not have to pay for a voucher.

    You Might Be Charged for Your Stay

    You might have to pay for your stay in managed isolation or quarantine. It is because the Government recovers certain costs for controlled isolation. The sharing of expenses is meant to benefit the country’s public with this solid system and those entering and leaving the country.

    Particulars Regarding Exemptions

    These are:

    Quarantine Exemptions

    People with COVID-19 symptoms are not exempted from quarantine.

    Managed Isolation Exemptions

    The managed isolation procedure is exceptionally solid. It has been instrumental in combatting the pandemic on behalf of NZ. But there are people who are facing unprecedented and exceptional circumstances.

    The system is quite robust and only issues exemptions from managed isolation in limited cases where the public health risk is minimal and can be managed comfortably. The details of the exemptions are available on the MBIE website for quarantine and isolation. However, it should be borne in mind that the exemption is not from isolation but managed isolation.

    Now that you know every detail regarding your flight back to NZ and your stay in managed isolation or quarantine facilities, it is time to return to your roots.

    Book a Free Consultation

    Book a Free Consultation