The government has extended the freeze on releasing any new MIQ vouchers as cases in the Covid-19 Delta outbreak go into quarantine.
In Auckland two hotels normally used for returnees have been or are being converted into extra accommodation for infected people as more Covid-19 Delta community cases are found.
The Crowne Plaza, where the source case stayed, is a hotel without guests, while the cause of the Covid-19 leak is investigated and plugged with improvements.
Some group bookings are being culled, including spots reserved for seasonal workers.
Yummy Fruits general Manager Paul Paynter says the industry is desperate for RSE workers. As they’re coming from the Covid-19-free Pacific, he says they do not need MIQ.
“We're in a disaster situation … We've got huge crisis on our hands. If we don't get the RSE [workers] a lot of people will be looking down the barrel of going out of business next year. As simple as that.
“Our industry is worth about $900 million in export earnings, and it will be easy to lose 100 or 200 or $300 million worth of that. And coming out of the back of Covid-19, that's something we can’t afford to do.
“It looks like it's very likely to be worse than last year. Last year we did have a few backpackers still.”
