COVID19: More managed isolation spots to be released

More managed isolation spots for April and May will be released in the coming days.
More managed isolation spots for April and May will be released in the coming days. Photo credit: Getty Images

More managed isolation vouchers will be released for April and May over the next few days.

Managed isolation and quarantine officials stopped re-releasing people's cancelled vouchers at the start of the month, as the Pullman Hotel was gradually emptied of returning travellers.

The vouchers were kept for contingencies as authorities investigated COVID-19 transmission at the hotel.

Now some new dates are being released in small batches to avoid a system overload.

Five cases of the South African strain of COVID-19 were linked to the Pullman, after a Northland woman tested positive for the virus after leaving the facility.

The most recent case was reported in Hamilton on February 6, after another former Pullman guest tested positive a week after leaving the hotel.

CCTV is being installed at the Pullman and its ventilation system, suspected of being a factor in the outbreak, is being upgraded.

The Ministry of Health hasn't yet said when the isolation hotel is likely to resume operation.

RNZ