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Two new cases of Covid-19 in MIQ as travel bubble reopens

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Mon, 19 Apr 2021, 1:47PM
Photo / NZ Herald
Photo / NZ Herald

Two new cases of Covid-19 in MIQ as travel bubble reopens

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Mon, 19 Apr 2021, 1:47PM

There are no new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health has revealed

There are two new cases in managed isolation.

Both cases arrived from India before the temporary ban on flights from India was implemented.

The two new cases arrived on April 2 and April 5, both via the United Arab Emirates. Both are in managed isolation in Auckland.

Case one, who arrived on April 2, is part of a travel bubble with two previously reported cases. Case two had contact with a confirmed case while in transit.

With quarantine-free travel beginning between New Zealand and Australia today, the statement from the Ministry of Health welcomed those travelling from across the ditch and expressed how vital it was for travellers to download the Covid tracer app.

"One of the most important things visitors to New Zealand can do is download the NZ Covid Tracer app," the MoH statement read.

"Anyone can download the New Zealand app – they may need to search their App Store or Google Play for 'NZ Covid' not just Covid as the search will prioritise the app from their country, therefore adding 'NZ' will be important to discovering the app."

People could also visit the ministry website for more information.

The total number of active cases in New Zealand is 102. One previously reported case has now recovered and another previously reported case has been reclassified to 'under investigation.'

The total number of confirmed cases is 2,240. There have been 48 historical cases from a total of 424 cases since January 1.

Two cases in MIQ yesterday arrived in New Zealand from Kenya on April 10. Another arrived from Pakistan on April 15.

Meanwhile, families who have been separated by the potentially deadly virus for more than a year will be reunited for the first time today.

Most people on board flights bound for Australia this morning were eagerly awaiting a reunion with family or friends across the ditch, and the aircrew were also excited to be flying again.

Australians and New Zealanders reunited in Sydney to the backdrop of balloons, signs and the music of Kylie Minogue blaring through a speaker.

There were lots of tears and hugs as parents, siblings, cousins and friends reunited for the first time in over a year.

Most families did not linger at the airport - eager to get out into the Sydney sunshine and enjoy each other's company again.

The Ministry of Health said this was a "timely reminder that people who visit New Zealand as part of quarantine-free travel will be able to download the NZ COVID Tracer app - there are no restrictions".

"People may need to search their App Store or Google Play for 'NZ COVID' not just COVID as the search will prioritise the app from their country, therefore adding 'NZ' will be important to discovering the app," a ministry spokesman said.

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