The rest of the world now says NZ is fucked up

[Leongsam]

nzherald.co.nz

Covid 19 coronavirus: NZ's two new cases - world reacts after virus returns


6-8 minutes


VIRUS LATEST
* Teenagers flee isolation after attending funeral
* Compassionate leave exemptions cancelled
* Can you really drive from Auckland to Wellington on a tank of gas?
* Comment: Inexcusable and embarrassing: Why the PM should be livid
* 8.1 million cases globally, 438,000 deaths - two active cases in New Zealand

Less than a day after Covid-19 returned to New Zealand shores, media from around the world weighed in on our fight against the virus and how it got back into the country.

Two women who travelled from the United Kingdom to Wellington for a parent's funeral tested positive for Covid-19, breaking New Zealand's case-free streak of 24 consecutive days.

But while the world praised New Zealand last month after eliminating Covid, they've been quick to criticise our response following its return.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the new Covid-19 cases. Video / Jacinda ardern

NEW ZEALAND IS NO LOCKDOWN SUCCESS STORY - The Telegraph

The Telegraph's Ross Clark took a pot shot, saying it cannot be compared to the UK and highlighted the fact New Zealand had other favourable factors at play.

"It is absurd to compare the UK response to Covid-19 with that of New Zealand. A densely populated country at the heart of international commerce was always going to be more deeply affected than a country out on a limb in the southern ocean, 1000 miles from any other landmass," he wrote.

"New Zealand is a country of rural settlements of low-density suburbs where social-distancing come naturally – as opposed to Britain where huge numbers live in tightly packed housing and commute on crowded tube trains.

"Moreover, when Covid-19 arrived in New Zealand it did so in the middle of summer, when viruses have the lowest chance of spreading."

He also took the time to drop a sheep-related joke, saying: "If New Zealand was going to be devastated by an epidemic of anything it would be scrapie, not Covid 19 – even after a sharp reduction in recent years it still has 27 million sheep, nearly six for every man, woman and child."

COVID-19 OUTBREAKS IN NZ AND CHINA HIGHLIGHT STARK CHOICES - The Guardian

The Guardian's Emma Graham-Harrison painted a potentially dark picture for both New Zealand and China, two countries that originally kicked Covid to touch.

Now both countries have cases again, with The Guardian suggesting New Zealand faces a decision isolating from the world for years, or letting the virus back in in a bid for global inclusion.

"Beijing and New Zealand had both declared themselves Covid-19 free by mid-June, life returning to an enviable normality of schools and shops, work and human contact. It didn't last long.

"The outbreaks have brought home the stark choices facing leaders who have successfully stamped out the virus or contained its transmission. If they want to hold on to that coveted status, their countries face months, perhaps years, sealed off from the world in a way unprecedented in modern times."

UK VISITORS RUIN NEW ZEALAND'S COVID-FREE STATUS, LEAVING KIWIS FUMING - Daily Star

British tabloid threw shade on the two women who tested positive, heaping blame on the pair for "ruining" NZ's Covid-free status.

They also reported Kiwis were fuming, pulling comments from New Zealanders' social media pages.

"The Pacific nation and its Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had won international praise for appearing to eradicate Covid-19, with no new cases recorded in 24 days thanks to a strict and early lockdown.

"Now they're back to square one ... after two women travelled there from the UK and left their self-isolation facility to drive eight hours to a funeral.

"Many Kiwis are outraged that the women were allowed to leave self-isolation early before they had even been tested.

"One New Zealander said the women with symptoms 'obviously lied to get the exemption'.

"'Way to put the entire country at risk', they said.

"'Come on now, it's not like Brit travellers to flout the laws of the country they're visiting', another commented sarcastically.

NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST COVID CASES IN 24 DAYS CAME FROM THE UK - BBC

While many overseas media were quick to report on Covid-19's return to New Zealand, the BBC highlighted the women's link to the UK.

"New Zealand has confirmed two new cases of coronavirus, ending a 24-day run of no new infections in the country.

"The cases relate to two women from the same family, both of whom had travelled from the UK and were given special permission to visit a dying parent."

Covid-19 in NZ — Wednesday 17th June

 

[Leongsam]

Unless you isolate a whole country from the rest of the world there is no stopping this virus. It is better to face up to the fact that Covid is going to get you no matter what rather than to live with the false hope that it can be avoided.

 

[Hypocrite-The]

'Unacceptable failure': New Zealand PM Ardern criticises bungle after new COVID-19 cases
Jacinda Ardern press conference file photo
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a press conference about the COVID-19 coronavirus at Parliament in Wellington on Jun 8, 2020. (File photo: AFP)
17 Jun 2020 11:34AM
(Updated: 17 Jun 2020 12:19PM)
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WELLINGTON: New Zealand on Wednesday (Jun 17) said the defence force will now oversee the country's quarantine facilities and strengthen border requirements, after a slip-up allowed two people with coronavirus to move around the country.

A 24-day run with no new cases was broken on Tuesday when it emerged two women who recently arrived from Britain were allowed out of quarantine early without being tested for the virus, even though one had mild symptoms.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday she was appointing the assistant chief of defence, Air Commodore Digby Webb, to oversee all quarantine and to manage isolation facilities, including the processes of exiting people from these facilities.

"My view is that we need the rigour, we need the confidence, we need the discipline that the military can provide," Ardern told reporters at a news conference in parliament.

Ardern added that the infected persons should never have been allowed to leave.

"This represents an unacceptable failure of the system," she said. "We require not one but two tests to be undertaken at those facilities ... it did not, and there are no excuses."

Ardern said Webb can seek access to military logistics, its operational expertise and, if needed, personnel, for running of the quarantine facilities.

She added that an audit would be done to make sure all processes in place are followed and any changes needed can be made to further strengthen the border facilities.

"I cannot allow the gains we have all made to be squandered by processes that are not followed," Ardern said.

"The suspension of compassionate exemptions will continue until such time as we can guarantee a disciplined and rigorous system at the border that ministers have confidence in."

The new infections are a setback to New Zealand, which lifted all social and economic restrictions except border controls last week, declaring it had no new or active cases of the coronavirus, one of the first countries in the world to return to pre-pandemic normality.

READ: In New Zealand, shopping, parties and big hugs mark start of COVID-free life
The two new cases, who are in their 30s and 40s, were in an isolation facility in Auckland and were given special permission to leave the facility to visit a dying parent in Wellington. Both are self-isolating now.

New Zealand's director general of health Ashley Bloomfield said that the authorities have traced 320 close contacts of the two cases, adding there were no new cases on Wednesday.

New Zealand has won praise for its handling of the pandemic, which involved a strict seven-week lockdown that ended last month after the virus was contained.

 

[Leongsam]

Watch this space. There are more cock ups to report.

 

[Hypocrite-The]

Watch this space. There are more cock ups to report.

These cockups are due to the over erection to the flu. If no erection n biz as usual than no issues

 

[Hypocrite-The]

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

NZ has done a fantastic job. Other lesser nations can only make up excuses why they did not perform as well.

The fact that NZ has only two Wuflu cases when other countries have seen a surge after reopening shows that Jacinda Ardern is the best!

 

[Leongsam]

stuff.co.nz

Coronavirus: Isolated travellers let out to attend large funeral in Christchurch
Liz McDonald20:35, Jun 17 2020FacebookTwitterWhats AppRedditEmail

5-6 minutes



STUFF
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the release of two infected people from quarantine wasn't their fault - it was the system's fault.
Trustworthy, accurate and reliable news stories are more important now than ever. Support our newsrooms by making a contribution.



Quarantined arrivals from overseas attended a big funeral in Christchurch this week, as concerns grow that lax border controls are boosting New Zealand's Covid-19 risk.

The Government has been under pressure since two Covid-19 diagnoses this week ended the country's virus-free status. Health officials are now urgently tracking down 320 people who have been in close contact with the infected women, who drove to Wellington after six days of hotel isolation to attend a funeral.

Getty-Images
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is under political pressure after two people who had been given a compassionate exemption to leave quarantine tested positive for Covid-19.

The Ministry of Health is managing about 3400 arrivals and this week expanded quarantine to Christchurch with 93 people under isolation in the Commodore Airport Hotel.

Steve Parkyn, chief executive of funeral directors Lamb and Hayward, said "nine or 10" of those people were let out of quarantine early to attend one of the company's funerals on Tuesday.

READ MORE:
* Coronavirus: Ministry of Health confirms women with Covid got lost and stopped on drive from Auckland to Wellington
* Coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern sends military in after border bungle
* Ministry to hunt down anyone from the flight or hotel of new cases as 'close contacts'
* Coronavirus: Border bungle an 'unacceptable failure' - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
* Coronavirus: Woman quarantined at Novotel in disbelief after cases were let out

Parkyn said after being contacted by health authorities he refused to allow the isolated travellers from the Commodore Hotel to attend the service, but they joined about 150 other mourners at the burial, accompanied by a health official.

"We asked for information, and whether the people had been tested, but they couldn't tell us anything.

"It was bizarre. We've been through lockdown where people couldn't get exemptions to attend funerals or see dying relatives," he said.

"The rules are meant to be there to protect everyone, and there's potentially elderly and compromised people at funerals."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday appointed assistant chief of defence Air Commodore Darryn Webb to review and oversee border management.
"We need the rigour, we need the confidence, and we need the discipline that the military can provide," Ardern said.

Webb would be able to use the military to make sure the border was being properly handled, she said.

"It is totally unacceptable that procedures we were advised were in place were not. Our job is to fix that.

"There is no room for error."

New National Party leader Todd Muller has called for the Prime Minister to sack her health minister David Clark.

Opposition leader Todd Muller has called for Ardern to sack Health Minister David Clark, saying it was lax quarantine measures that allowed Covid-19 back into the country.

National party health spokesman Michael Woodhouse said in Parliament on Wednesday that despite Government claims the women had no contact on the way, they were helped by "good Samaritans" after getting lost leaving Auckland and rewarded them with "a kiss and a cuddle".

The two infected women were not Covid-19 tested during their six-day quarantine. Hotels have reportedly been advising quarantined guests that the required tests, three days and 12 days into quarantine, are voluntary.

The past week has seen 90 people arriving from overseas granted exemptions from managed isolation, on compassionate, medical or other grounds.
Diplomats and their families and air crew members are automatically exempt from having to isolate.

Stuff-co-nz
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is set to inspect the Covid-19 isolation and quarantine facilities set up for people arriving from overseas.

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said on Wednesday he was "livid" that his staff, staying in an Auckland hotel, came into close contact with people in quarantine.
Without warning, a lot of people landed from overseas, were placed in quarantine in the hotel and were mingling, he said. Boshier said he would inspect the quarantine facilities.

About 250 people a day are flying into New Zealand, mostly into Auckland. International travel into Christchurch resumes this week with an Emirates flight from Dubai and Sydney landing on Thursday afternoon.

Most of the several thousand overseas arrivals are quarantined in Auckland hotels, with the crew of the movie Avatar quarantined in Wellington.

 

[Leongsam]

nzherald.co.nz

Covid 19 coronavirus: Woman who MP claims 'kissed and cuddled' Covid travellers attended Auckland gym class days later
By: Emma Russell

3 minutes


An Auckland woman who an MP claims "cuddled and kissed" two Covid-19 infected British travellers attended a "hands-on" training at her local gym yesterday morning.

According to a Facebook post by Felicia Alkin, the owner and founder of Highland Park's Lioness Gym for Women, the unnamed member was in contact with the two women on Saturday.

She did not know they were positive until yesterday afternoon, Alkin said.

National MP Michael Woodhouse earlier claimed that the pair, who travelled from London to New Zealand, borrowed a car from a friend for a 640km road trip to Wellington, but had to meet someone for help with directions after getting lost.

The British pair were given special leave to travel to the capital after their parent died.

Woodhouse told Parliament that after getting assistance while lost, the two women gave their helpers a "kiss and a cuddle".

In her Facebook post, Alkin said the gym member attended a "hands-on" training yesterday morning before she knew her friends had tested positive.

"[She] stayed back for group classes," Alkin posted.

"Fortunate enough we still have the 2m mark down in our class studio, however, my training sessions was hands-on."

Alkin says she has now cancelled her classes and appointments, and decided to self-isolate with her family, until the gym member - who underwent testing this morning - had tested negative.

"I can understand everybody's concern and I would like to ask everyone to please stop private msg me asking for the name of the Lioness Gym member."

The gym member had lent a car to the two travellers to drive down to Wellington for the funeral.

"Initially the car was dropped to the hotel, however, apparently the 2 girls got lost and my member had to meet with them to give them instructions," Alkin posted.

"[The Ministry of Health] advised me that I can continue with my normal activities until I'll hear back the results of our member," the post says.

Alkin told the Herald she decided to go into self-isolation, despite being told by Ministry of Health officials that she did not have to.

"Imagine if my client is positive and I am positive, and then in the few days until the results come back, there could be hundreds of people involved."

Alkin said she was surprised she wasn't advised to self-isolate, but decided that it would be best to do so.

"I work a lot in the local community, so I decided to self-isolate to be safe," she said.

 

[Leongsam]

nzherald.co.nz

Covid 19 coronavirus: Six people - not two - abscond after funeral


4-5 minutes


Former Police Commissioner Mike Bush says six people absconded after being granted compassionate leave from Covid-19 quarantine to attend a Hamilton funeral.

At least one of the people - a youth aged about 18 - is yet to be "rounded up".

Yesterday media were told just two teenagers ran away from authorities after being allowed to go to the funeral.

The Ministry of Health has now confirmed six family members from Australia were granted compassionate exemptions to leave Auckland's Pullman Hotel and attend their relative's tangi on June 10.

"Four members of the family returned. A teenager and a child [aged 8] did not," a ministry spokesman said.

"The child was returned to the hotel managed isolation and quarantine facility in Auckland.

"The teenager remains in self-isolation at a family property.

"The five family members' request to join the teenager has been declined and they will complete their isolation at the managed isolation and quarantine facility in Auckland."

The teenager in self-isolation in Hamilton has had a Covid-19 test and tested negative.

The remaining five family members will be tested again tomorrow - day 12 of their stay.

Bush told Newstalk ZB presenter Heather du Plessis-Allan that he was not happy that six people granted leave had to be rounded up.

"This situation cannot be repeated.

"I understand that authorities are working on the last two, to get them back into managed isolation, but the important thing is that they tested negative," Bush said.

Talking to RNZ, Bush said there was shared accountability of what happened in this case.

"I'm certainly putting up my hand to be here and talk to this, because it's important that New Zealanders have assurance this is being managed properly.

"There's been shared accountability up to this point ... but as of today, the operational oversight will be accountable going forward."

The director general of health had directed staff to test those granted exemptions from quarantine based on compassionate grounds, before they left the facilities, Bush told RNZ.

However that had not happened in this case, and Bush said it was "not good enough" that it had somehow fallen through the cracks.

"Dr Bloomfield has made that very clear and we're going to be working with him to ensure it never occurs again."

He said police were notified very quickly that the people who had been granted exemptions to go to that funeral had not returned.

"They had been missing for quite some time," Bush said.

Four of them had been tracked down and the other two were located and tested but had not been rounded up.

Yesterday, Health Minister David Clark did not seem to know about the runaway pair when talking to du Plessis-Allan.

"I'm not aware of the details of that case. I have not had a briefing on that, I will seek a briefing on that."

Clark said he was disappointed that measures he thought were in place to prevent another outbreak didn't appear to be.

"If it is as you described it, then it underscores my request to suspend compassionate exemptions until we ensure that the system is working as intended."

It follows revelations that the nation's two new cases of Covid-19 were given a special exemption to travel to Wellington on compassionate ground after their parent died.

Strict border controls remain in place in New Zealand because Covid-19 is not under control overseas.

All arrivals into New Zealand go through health screening, are tested for the virus and are forced to spend 14 days in quarantine or isolation.