The Government will start charging certain returnees for their managed isolation starting Tuesday after the fees passed their last cabinet milestone today.
From 12:01am tomorrow, the cost of coming back to New Zealand will be $3100 per person in a room, $950 for each additional adult and $475 for each additional child sharing the room.
"This charging system makes an important contribution to our public health response to COVID-19," says Megan Woods, the minister in charge of managed isolation and quarantine.
"The new charging system balances the rights of New Zealanders to return home and helps reduce pressure on the managed isolation and quarantine system, while recovering some of the costs from those who choose to leave and enter the country on holidays or business trips."
Who will have to pay?
- Any New Zealander who is currently overseas and enters New Zealand after the regulations come into force and stays for less than 90 days will be liable for charges, unless they are exempt or qualify for a waiver
- Any New Zealander who leaves New Zealand after the regulations come into force (eg for a holiday or business) will be liable for charges when they return, unless they are exempt or qualify for a waiver
- Everyone entering New Zealand on a border exception as a critical worker will have to pay. In many cases, their employers will pay their managed isolation and quarantine costs
- Other temporary visa holders are liable for the charges, unless they were ordinarily resident in New Zealand at the time the border closed and departed New Zealand on or before 19 March 2020
Waivers and exemptions
Dr Woods says these charges cover less than half of the average total costs for managed isolation and quarantine. There will also be a system for waivers and exemptions, and anyone who needs to come home but can't afford the charges will still be allowed back in.
"Exemptions are available for certain groups of people and waivers from charges are possible on a case-by-case basis for undue financial hardship and in special circumstances (such as compassionate grounds)," Dr Woods states.
"New Zealand citizens and residents currently overseas are not liable for charges if they are returning home permanently. Temporary visa holders who were ordinarily resident in New Zealand before our border was closed on March 19, are not liable for a charge on their return if they were out of the country on March 19 (unless they are a critical worker)."
