15 Mar 2020

Coronavirus: Airlines turn away some travellers trying to return to NZ

9:46 pm on 15 March 2020

Some travellers trying to beat the deadline for self-isolations have been turned away by airlines that are stretched to capacity. Follow our blog for Sunday's Covid-19 updates.

Yesterday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that from midnight, all passengers arriving from overseas, except those from Pacific Island countries, must go into isolation for 14 days.

But the deadline for arrivals has now been pushed out to 1am Sunday morning.

Flight Centre's staff have tried to help as many people as possible since the restrictions were announced yesterday.

But its managing director David Coombes said despite changes to Air New Zealand's schedule and using larger planes, not everyone will make it in time.

The tourism industry was in shock after the initial announcement and is predicting widespread job losses.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has announced that there are now eight confirmed cases of Covid-19 in NZ.

And a passenger on board the Golden Princess cruise ship berthed at Akaroa, in the South Island, is being tested for Covid-19.

Three passengers on board the cruise have been quarantined by the ship's doctor.

One of the three has developed symptoms of Covid-19 and is being treated as a suspected case.

All cruise ships are being asked to not come to NZ until June 30. It does not apply to cargo ships.

  • If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs)

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