More than 25,000 people have passed through New Zealand's managed isolation (MI) or quarantine since it came into effect on March 26 when the country went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, the Ministry of Health revealed there are 5202 people currently in quarantine around the country and thousands more are expected to begin their mandatory 14 days over the next week.
People who arrive in New Zealand without symptoms for COVID-19 are placed in MI where the restrictions are slightly looser. They can go for walks and apply for an exemption.
However, for travellers displaying symptoms on arrival or who test positive after arrival, they are placed in quarantine and are unable to leave their rooms.
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are holding travellers in quarantine and managed isolation, while Hamilton and Rotorua are only holding travellers in managed isolation.
Auckland holds the most people in transit, followed by Christchurch, the only city with facilities in the South Island.
The numbers of travellers in MI/quarantine per city:
- Auckland- 3802
- Hamilton - 146
- Rotorua - 390
- Wellington - 99
- Christchurch - 765
- Total people in MI and quarantine - 5202
The current maximum capacity for travellers in New Zealand is 6188 people and they are 84 percent full.
The number of travellers using them is expected to slowly increase over the next seven days as more people return to the country.
Saturday is expected to have the biggest increase in new arrivals with 815 people arriving in New Zealand, but they also have a large outgoing number of people in quarantine and managed isolation at 768.
- Incoming vs Outgoing travellers
- Sunday- 201 vs 62
- Monday- 278 vs 226
- Tuesday- 460 vs 375
- Wednesday- 420 vs 281
- Thursday- 522 vs 354
- Friday - 287 vs 225
Overall 2983 people are expected to arrive in New Zealand over the next week and 2291 travellers will finish their time in isolation/quarantine showing a projected increase of people in quarantine by 692.
The Ministry of Health says they are already planning for the growing demand by increasing capacity over the next week.
