Lift signage

This photograph shows a Covid-19 sign in a lift in a Managed Isolation Facility hotel in Auckland. It was taken by returnee Alan Gibson who had arrived in New Zealand on 11 October on 2021 after flying from San Francisco via Los Angeles.

The sign directs that only one person or one bubble could use the lift at a time. Periods of Covid testing slowed down the use of the lift for other guests.

Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) are key parts of New Zealand’s border control strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Until mid-November 2021, international arrivals to New Zealand were required to stay in managed isolation for 14 days, and be clear of Covid-19 symptoms for at least 72 hours before they could leave (four Covid-19 swab tests were conducted during the 14 days). MIQ is a legal requirement under the Covid-19 Public Health Response (Isolation and Quarantine) Order 2020. MIQ systems have evolved throughout the pandemic as new information and new variants have emerged. Since July 2020 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has been responsible for MIQ facilities, supported by almost 1000 defence personnel.

Alan recounts the events of Day 0: 'On arrival at my MIQ hotel, there was another multi-stage process, staffed by a mixture of uniformed army personnel and hotel staff: a. Initial briefing on the bus about MIQ hotel protocols. b. NZ SIM-card handouts. c. Confirmation of identity and questions about planned length of stay in NZ and other logistical matters. d. Registration; receipt of room key and welcome pack. e. Menu ordering for first two days. f. Pick-up of Day 0 breakfast. g. Check-into room. h. Phone call to set up Day 0 COVID-19 test that afternoon, via QR code sent to cell phone. The whole process was very smooth, well-practiced, polite, and often friendly. But it’s a lot to absorb after travelling all night across the Pacific and multiple time zones!!’