Surprised by ‘military-like’ process on arrival

Dunedin woman Annie Robinson has spent the past 14 days in managed isolation. Photo: Annie Robinson

When Annie Robinson arrived in Auckland after travelling to England to attend her mother’s funeral, she was surprised at the "quite military-like", but nevertheless reassuring, level of organisation that greeted her.

"It hadn’t even occurred to me how regimented it would be."

The 300 passengers on her Air New Zealand flight were given new masks every four hours during their 40-hour flight via Hong Kong.

Once they landed in Auckland, the passengers got off the plane and were asked to form a socially distanced queue, before being assessed by a team of health officials.

"They saw the vulnerable, families and elderly first, and when we got to the front [of the line] we answered a series of questions about our health and travels by four suited-up officials, then had our temperature taken.

"There was no way you could have got off a flight and not gone through that system. The whole area was barricaded."

The Waipuna Hotel in Auckland. Photo: supplied

Anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19 or thought to potentially have the virus was separated and taken to a separate quarantine hotel.

Once through Customs, the group were transported by bus, sitting at an appropriate distance from each other, to managed isolation at the Waipuna Hotel.

"There were very small numbers of us on the buses and we were taken to the hotel."

When they arrived, a few were let off at a time and led into the hotel to be processed.

"They took our details and processed us. We were given a welcome pack about managed isolation, which had everything you need to know, and a welfare pamphlet."

Tested on days 3 and 12 of her stay, she found the organisation of facilities and the process was "impeccable", Mrs Robinson, a property manager for Presbyterian Support, said.

"It is strange and quite surreal to look out and see a 2m-high fence and know you can’t leave, but you’re well fed and well looked after.

"It’s quite military-like but it’s reassuring, and I think the fact that a small number have been stupid is disproportionate when you think about the thousands going through the system.

"I don’t think people need to be concerned."

Before the 55-year-old left the hotel, she had been told she would have a final health check and be given a form proving she had completed two weeks in isolation.

"It doesn’t end when you leave the facility. We have to come up with an exit plan and give the names and numbers of who will pick us up and [details of] our complete journey back to our homes."

Mrs Robinson had organised her own travel back to Dunedin today. She was looking forward to hugging her husband and two teenage sons upon her return.

emma.perry@odt.co.nz