The Government is looking at the idea of having returning Kiwis contribute to their managed isolation or quarantine costs.
More than 20,000 Kiwis and their close families have entered the facilities, costing about $81 million to the end of June. There's $298 million appropriated for the facilities until the end of the year.
Megan Woods, the minister in charge of the facilities, is now considering having Kiwis returning to New Zealand contribute to paying for their mandatory two-week stay in the facilities.
"In terms of what the regime that will be put in place around charging, it won't be 'would you like to pay', there will be rules and that will have a system set up. We won't just be asking people to make a donation, we will have a scheme in place that is fair and balances the right of New Zealanders to return home."
Woods told The AM Show it's a "complicated policy" but one she wants to progress to Cabinet quickly. One of the challenges is that Kiwis have a right to return to their country of origin which can't be blocked.
Should returning Kiwis have to contribute to their managed isolation or quarantine stays?
