Currently every day we have over 300 hundreds people across the border from overseas. Each person costs tax payer around $4000 for the 14 days managed  isolation or quarantine. Very soon this number will increase due to more airlines resume their flight services to New Zealand.  This is not a sustainable activity. Eventually the government will run out of money, with a few billion dollars more debt, and a weaker economy.

Looking at overseas, Australia is charging $200/day for the isolation. China starts earlier and always user pay for the isolation. Are these countries government poorer than New Zealand’s, or their people are richer so can afford the cost of isolation? Absolutely not! There is more logical reasons behind the decision. 

As a rates and tax payer, we strongly ask a change need to be done regarding the FREE isolation. It should be 100% paid by the isolators. They have been offered to come back as early as March. Now is the time for them to take some responsibility, to protect this country and people, by taking a strict isolation to break the virus spreading chain, and pay the cost. 

Once the isolation becomes user pay and sustainable, we can start to look at using more hotels or other facilities, increase the isolation ability to accommodate more people other than New Zealand residents. Universities and many other industries will welcome this change. Families with members currently trapped in other countries will welcome this too. Hospitality industry will surely benefit from this. 

If we can all work together to make New Zealand a clean and virus free place, eventually it will attract more people to our beautiful country and help our economy. The future is bright. We need take action now. 

Start with USER PAID isolation!