Premier Dalton Tagelagi confirmed to BCN news today that the talks on quarantine free travel have only just started and there is quite a lot of work to be done before this can actually happen but it will not be this year.
Premier Tagelagi said this will likely happen next year, which will ease the concerns raised by some locals on social media over the weekend, after the news of the quarantine free travel discussions was first published by BCN news last Friday.
Meanwhile, Cabinet last week approved the option for home quarantine, strictly by application and prior approval of Cabinet.
The press release stated that passengers intending to travel to Niue must contact the office of the Secretary to Government to file your application for home quarantine.
Cabinet also approved an increase in the number of passengers on today’s flight and flights scheduled on the 17th November only. The press release was not clear as to why the increase is only for these two flights.
The flight which arrived today only had ten passengers and all of them are being quarantined at the Matavai Resort at Homofiti.
In response to questions from BCN, Air New Zealand in statement said that the flight on the 1st of December is fully booked saying that “We are working closely with the Niue Government to ensure seat availability is matched to quarantine capability in Niue”.
Meanwhile, the rules of home quarantine are the same as those set out in the Quarantine Order which will be provided to persons who are subject to the order.
Passengers can undertake home quarantine at the residence of their choice or alternative dwelling that has been pre-approved by Cabinet prior to departure from Auckland. People living in that dwelling will also be subject to home quarantine for 14 days.
Passengers will be responsible for the cost of undergoing isolation or quarantine in your home in Niue.
The National Disaster Council/COVID Committee have prepared a Questions and Answers (Q & A) handout which provides all the information about the option of home quarantine.