Grand Millenium MIQ facility in Auckland.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
It comes as an investigation begins into how Covid-19 was transmitted in those facilities.
Genome sequencing showed the virus spread between two returnees at the Grand Mercure, who arrived back on different flights, days apart.
At the Grand Millenium, a returnee, a cleaner and two security guards are in a single chain of transmission.
There are 224 isolating returnees across both hotels and once they all complete MIQ there will be a review of potential sources of spread at the facilities including the ventilation systems.
Bliss told
Checkpoint risks presented by the ventilation systems had always been assessed by health experts as being very low.
Facility closures aren’t on the cards at the moment, MBIE deputy chief executive, managed isolation and quarantine, Megan Main said on a recent visit to Hamilton.
Mark Taylor/Stuff
A bookable grassy area at Distinction Hamilton Hotel served as a sunbathing spot in recent fine weather. Returnees can book a half-hour slot during allocated exercise time. “We’re currently planning on having MIQ in some form for at least the next year, maybe longer.” About 500 spaces will be kept free as a contingency, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has talked about using other space for purposes such as reuniting families or bringing in workers, Main said.
Covid 19 coronavirus: A system that can be hacked by lying is not a good system
15 Apr, 2021 12:29 AM
6 minutes to read
PM Jacinda Ardern says the security guard who tested positive to Covid-19 lied about being tested. Video / Mark Mitchell
PM Jacinda Ardern says the security guard who tested positive to Covid-19 lied about being tested. Video / Mark Mitchell
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OPINION: Yesterday Jacinda Ardern angrily declared that an MIQ worker had lied. That should not be a sufficiently sophisticated technique to get around our border defences, argues Duncan Greive.
It emerged yesterday that case B in the small yet still concerning cluster of Covid-19 cases related to the Grand Millennium Hotel in Auckland had not been previously been tested since November. This came as something of a surprise, as Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins had announced that such tests would be mandatory in September of last year.
Official records show the security guard who tested positive for Covid-19 last week was last tested in November - six months ago - despite an expectation of fortnightly testing.
The Grand Millennium Hotel, which is being used as a managed isolation facility, in Auckland CBD.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Head of the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment - which oversees quarantine - Carolyn Tremain made the revelation in front of a Parliamentary select committee this morning.
She told MPs the 24-year-old guard - known as Case B - was a relief night-shift worker who worked regularly at the Grand Millennium hotel.
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