By the end of June, the New Zealand government will have spent 81 million NZD on border isolation—but for what? The system has been described as “more like incubation than quarantine.” Social distancing protocols are being ignored, adults are mingling, children are running riot in hallways, and some nurses are leaving the hotels in tears. Despite this, Kiwis—who are almost the only people allowed into the country—are not currently being charged for their stays, including accommodation, food, and drink.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Government has already spent over $19 million on hotel quarantine, with projections surpassing $24 million by June 30.
“The fees are proposed to reduce the financial burden of COVID-19 prevention measures on taxpayers,” states the government’s website. From July, individual travelers will be required to pay approximately $2,800, while pairs will need to cover $3,700 for the mandatory 14-day stay. Queensland will be the first Australian state to charge international arrivals for hotel quarantine.
Fourteen days is a long time to spend in a hotel room, so make sure your devices are ready for a Netflix binge! Visit our online store to grab an antibacterial screen protector and keep your devices quarantine-safe!
image source: FREEPIK
