Coronavirus: National keen to charge returning Kiwis $3000 for their quarantine
Judith Collins is keen to see Kiwis returning home to New Zealand charged $3000 for their managed self-isolation or quarantine. Labour have welcomed the policy as it too supports some kind of part-payment scheme. Cabinet is set to consider the issue before the end of the month. The National Party announced the policy on Sunday to charge all New Zealanders entering the country the fee around three quarters of the total cost - should the party be elected in September. The policy wouldnt apply until October 3, giving Kiwis who didnt want to pay the fee the chance to rush home. An adult would cost $3000, with additional adults in the same room costing $1000, childred aged 3-18 $500, and under-threes would be free. National does not see any serious legal hurdles in creating such a scheme, and would pass a law to enact the policy if necessary, its understood. READ MORE: * Judith Collins on her plans for National * Judith Collins, the new leader of National Party, promises to 'crush' the Government * Coronavirus: A look at NZ's Covid-19 quarantine facilities, their space and next steps A very small number of compassionate exemptions would be allowed, but the party is understood to see this as the absolute exception, not the rule. Exemptions would not be allowed for those leaving the country for a compassionate reason, only returning. There would be no means testing, but payment schemes could be worked out for those unable to pay immediately. This fee is for the purpose of cost recovery to reduce the burden on New Zealand taxpayers, and to cover some of the costs of accommodation and food over the 14 days of required quarantine for persons entering the country, deputy leader Gerry Brownlee said. There will be exemptions only for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents on compassionate grounds and in cases where they are facing financial hardship. The policy is new to the Collins-led National Party, replacing softer plans hatched under former leader Todd Muller, who resigned on Tuesday morning. Its understood the party expect it to mostly cover people returning after long stints overseas or those rich enough to take holidays over the January break. It feels it is unfair to ask Kiwis who rarely travel to pick up the tab for these people. If a bubble was worked out with any country those people would not have to pay. The Government is actively looking at a charging scheme as well, with Cabinet set to consider the matter on Monday. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been clear that she thinks anyone leaving the country voluntarily following lockdown should pay for some of their stay. Around half a billion dollars is forecast to be spent on the mandatory managed self-isolation or quarantine by the end of the year. Each persons stay costs roughly $4000, on average, for the taxpayer. All returning New Zealanders are currently required to complete two weeks in managed isolation or quarantine, undertaking tests at around day 3 and day 12. The Government had been toying with the prospect, but Housing Minister Megan Woods has said legal barriers have made the matter tricky, as citizens are guaranteed entry to their country without barrier. In the meantime, the Government worked out a deal with Air New Zealand to lower the number of flights into the country, making sure there would be enough isolation hotels to house every returning citizen or resident. LABOUR: WELCOME TO THE PARTY Megan Woods, the Labour Party minister in charge of managed isolation and quarantine, said she was pleased National were keen to charge returnees something her Government had been working towards. As I have been signalling for several weeks, we believe people returning to New Zealand should assist with the considerable expense of accommodating them in managed isolation facilities, Woods said. This requires detailed investigation to ensure that any cost recovery system is fair and equitable, and is balanced with the legal rights of New Zealand citizens and permanent residents to come back home. This Government has the responsibility of ensuring that any cost recovery regime is robust and workable. Nationals stated commitment to a charging regime is a good sign there will be widespread parliamentary support for such a move.