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September 15, 2021
MIQ places put to lottery as outbreak subsides
Ellyce McLeod
Posted On September 15, 2021
There were 14 new community cases of Covid 19 confirmed today, all in Auckland and all connected to existing cases.
A worker at the SO/ Auckland Hotel MIQ facility who tested positive for Covid-19 has a potential link with a community case so is not being considered as a result of in-facility transmission.
There was one unexpected wastewater detection from Snells Beach, taken on September 7 but delayed because of a logistical issue. Additional testing is under way.
Later this week police will begin checking that people permitted to cross the Auckland boundary have had a test in the past seven days, with saliva tests being acceptable.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says bookings for MIQ places will resume on Monday using a new queuing system designed to be more fair.
He says 4000 rooms a fortnight will be released each fortnight between now and Christmas.
Anyone who enters the virtual ‘lobby system’ between 8am and 9am on Monday will have an equal chance of securing a room.
People will be randomly moved into a queue and when they get to the front they’ll get to book a room.
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