On 31 December 2020 we returned from the UK to New Zealand. The new variant had sent ripples of fear across the world. Countries were closing their borders to the UK and its 3rd lockdown was imminent. With family and friends curious about our experience I decided to create a diary of our 14 days in NZ managed isolation (MI).
Managed isolation doesn’t align to everyone’s values, but it is what NZ has chosen to do in response to the pandemic. For arrivals there is no secret this is what you are expected to do. In fact you can’t board a plane here without proof you have a place booked in an isolation hotel. For the date your flight lands.
In return Kiwis live in a island utopia. While other countries are in lockdown, Kiwis are hedonistically experiencing a near-as-normal summer with music festivals and whanau/family gatherings. And they can give hugs.
You can read about our experience on the NZ border here.
Jen Wiggle 