world

New Zealand restricts entry for its own nationals escaping coronavirus

35 Comments
By Sanka VIDANAGAMA

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2020 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

35 Comments
Login to comment

I think most Kiwis understand the situation. Yeah it sucks because I want to go home, but why am I so important?

5 million people have done their absolute best for months to stop this virus. How selfish would you have to be to throw that all away because you want to go home?

Simply there aren't enough quarantine facilities, so I'll tough it out and wait in Japan. That's a hell of a lot better than making it so people are dying waiting for a hospital bed.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

This isn't a ban on NZ citizens returning, this is a request to slow down entry as there aren't enough facilities to house the current influx of returnees. When there is space, they will be allowed to return again.

A three week freeze is hardly a ban. How can anyone misinterpret this????

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I always say keep the borders closed!

The border is already closed to foreigners. If you are saying they should also close the border to their own nationals, that is ridiculous. They are just temporarily restricting entries because they don't have enough quarantine facilities.

How can you deny citizens entry to their own country? If they turn up at the border they can’t turn them away.

If you read the article, they are freezing flight bookings to prevent them from flying in the first place.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Simon, I get it, but Brutal!!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This is nonsense. Even most reclusive states under chauvinist regimes (e.g. North Korea) would allow own citizens for entry into their homeland, perhaps on the condition of compulsory tests and quarantine.

The article does not say New Zealand citizens are banned from entering the country.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Their country, their rules. These citizens have waited all these months to decide to go back? They will simply have to wait where they are (likely their home in another nation) for several more months. There are very limited seats to get to NZ, and not many quarantine facilities. Simple as that.

I can understand NZ does not want the virus to flare up again.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Over a million nz residents are from overseas. They are now effectively cut off from their families overseas.my family included.

Hopefully, the border there and here will start to open by the end of the year

4 ( +5 / -1 )

What do you say about "this" now?

It's really good if you are one of the 5 million in NZ who went through lockdown. What's the alternative? There is none. Either keep the virus out or have hundreds die. I support that decision.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

How can you deny citizens entry to their own country?

I don't see the article saying this.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Also, makes you wonder how other countries who have a relatively good record in the first wave, will deal with people trying to flee hot zones.

No need to wonder, it's happening right now. Look at the EU - having brought their numbers under control, they are opening up to various countries, but people coming from the US - the hottest zone - are banned.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hmmmm.... More and more countries essentially "building the wall". Who says borders are not important.

Border control has always been there. What are you talking about?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There is now within the NZ business sector a clamoring to open up for the sake of business and the economy. Its difficult to believe this will end well however much we may want it to. It wont take much to set the virus ablaze again.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

How can you deny citizens entry to their own country? If they turn up at the border they can’t turn them away.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

This is nonsense. Even most reclusive states under chauvinist regimes (e.g. North Korea) would allow own citizens for entry into their homeland, perhaps on the condition of compulsory tests and quarantine.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

What do you say about "this" now?

What is "this"?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Other problems aside. I don't think 14-day quarantine is not enough though.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Other problems aside. I don't think 14-day quarantine is not enough though.

Other problems aside. I don't think 14-day quarantine is long enough though.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Slowing down is the right thing to do. NZers will be able to go back, but all in good time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Seriously... they aren’t closing the border. That’s not what this is. It’s just squeezing the brakes a little so they don’t need to slam them on at a later time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

temporary hold on new bookings in the short term

You cannot go home when you please to do so.

That's the ultimate dichotomy.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Hmmmm....  More and more countries essentially "building the wall".  Who says borders are not important.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

There is now within the NZ business sector a clamoring to open up for the sake of business and the economy. Its difficult to believe this will end well however much we may want it to. It wont take much to set the virus ablaze again.

Are you sure about that?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

What is “that”?

That thing I quoted of course. That's why I supply a quote, so when I use pronouns afterwards, the person can understand what the pronoun refers to.

Here's the quote, since you maybe didn't read it or didn't understand it:

There is now within the NZ business sector a clamoring to open up for the sake of business and the economy. Its difficult to believe this will end well however much we may want it to. It wont take much to set the virus ablaze again.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Strangerland, there are three separate statements in the quote. Again, Im asking which one(s) your asking about. Is there some difficulty understanding?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Im clear, but you arent.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The title certainly suggests it.

Monty, tell that to a New Zealander trying to get the hell out of dodge and home. The darlings of the liberal world, New Zealand , champions of the fight against the virus denying entry to its own. Not exactly one to start applauding this too quickly of its true. If it’s denying foreign nationals to the small island well, that is a different story.

Also, makes you wonder how other countries who have a relatively good record in the first wave, will deal with people trying to flee hot zones. How will they screen and decide who gets to come in? Humanitarian ( how do you sort that out as everyone is vulnerable to this thing ) or highest bidder?

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Good call. If you can't manage a sudden influx, control the flow. Kiwis abroad bleating about not being able to go home. Toughen up, it was a risk you took when you bought a passport and left. No one made you leave so bide your time and stay safe.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

@Strangerland, Are you sure about that?

What is “that”?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

All of it of course. That's why I choose that snippet of text rather than only part of it.

Are you not so clear on how quoting works?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Strangerland

By this I mean: New Zealand began restricting the return of its own nationals

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I agree to that action!

I always say keep the borders closed!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Many times, people here compare the "good" and "Perfect" management of New Zealand with other countries.

How good New Zealand is (even with its very very small population) and how bad other countries are.

What do you say about "this" now?

Is this still good?

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites