2000 MIQ rooms empty a day, Kiwis struggle to book a place
(Photo / Supplied)
By Katie Todd of RNZ
Almost 2000 managed isolation rooms sit empty each day, while New Zealanders trying to get home say they are struggling with an ongoing lack of vouchers.
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been releasing vouchers in batches, but high demand has seen them snapped up in minutes, and there are no rooms showing as available for the next four months.
Meanwhile, the number of rooms intentionally left empty as contingency increased from 400 to 900 at the opening of the transtasman bubble, while about 200 are unavailable because of hotel maintenance at the Grand Mercure and Grand Millennium.
2000 MIQ rooms empty each day as NZers struggle to secure a place
2000 MIQ rooms empty each day as NZers struggle to secure a place Saturday, July 3, 2021 Katie Todd, RNZ
Almost 2000 managed isolation rooms sit empty each day, while New Zealanders trying to get home say they are struggling with an ongoing lack of vouchers.
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been releasing vouchers in batches, but high demand has seen them snapped up in minutes, with no rooms showing as available for the next four months.
Meanwhile the number of rooms intentionally left empty as contingency increased from 400 to 900 at the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble, while about 200 are unavailable because of hotel maintenance at the Grand Mercure and Grand Millennium.
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“Everything is booked up until November.” She said given her occupation, she was surprised she was declined an MIQ booking more than 14 days before her travel date. Williams said she thought it “very strange” that there had been many options in MIQ two weeks ago, then suddenly everything was unavailable until November. “I think New Zealand needs to be aware that New Zealanders coming back with essential skills are struggling to in fact come back home and serve the nation in this hour of need. I think that needs to be looked at.” Enquiries to MIQelicited very generic answers, she said.
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