A group of top epidemiologists are suggesting some travellers could spend part of their COVID-19 isolation period at home as a way of improving New Zealand's systems.
The idea, put forward by Professor Nick Baker, Dr Jennifer Summers, Dr Amanda Kvalsvig and Professor Michael Baker, is one of a raft of suggestions to help keep Aotearoa COVID-19 free.
Those arriving from countries with low COVID-19 rates could spend half their isolation at home.
But those coming from high-risk countries like the US, the UK and India could be barred from entering New Zealand at all.
They say the latest scientific evidence for the virus' longevity should be considered to inform the decision over how long overseas arrivals have to quarantine for.
"The current 14-day period could then potentially be reduced for those who are willing to have some home quarantine with appropriate safeguards," reads the report released on Wednesday.
Anyone isolating at home would be monitored closely, as is done in Taiwan.
"Taiwanese authorities also have the mandate to conduct in-home checks on quarantined individuals. Those found breaching the home quarantine rules are placed into a quarantine institution and face substantial fines."
Other suggestions put forward by the experts include considering pre-travel testing of those coming from high-risk countries, enhancing mask uses on planes and reviewing the mechanisms of viral spread in isolation facilities.
