MIQ announces which facilities are set to leave network

Earlier this week the government announced that with our borders opening, 28 of the current 32 facilities will return to being hotels by the end of June. The 4 remaining MIQ facilities will have their contract extended beyond 30 June 2022 and this will be negotiated with them in the coming weeks, Head of MIQ, Chris Bunny, said.

 “From today, the de-designation and then decommissioning process for 20 facilities will get underway.

 “While MIQ is winding down, it will still play a role in the community and at the border. For this reason, 8 facilities will remain as part of our network to provide managed isolation and quarantine for unvaccinated travellers, refugees, community cases and special groups.

 “Then from the end of June, 4 facilities, 3 based in Auckland and 1 in Christchurch, will remain as part of our network beyond 30 June 2022.

 “MIQ has always operated in a rapidly changing environment. This is a significant change, and our priority will continue to be to support staff over the coming weeks throughout this transition period.

 Around 2,835 staff from several agencies work at the facilities that will no longer take any returnees.

De-designation will see 20 facilities cease operation. This allows maintenance to occur and removes the legislative requirements for workers to be vaccinated and tested.

Following this, as part of the decommissioning process MIQ will ensure the facilities are safe and operationally fit for purpose to enable them to return to operating as a standard hotel. This will include removing any MBIE owned equipment the hotel no longer wants on site and/or work to remediate temporary changes to the building and facilities.

“These facilities have been a valued part of our managed isolation and quarantine network. MIQ would like to thank the management and staff of all facilities for their professionalism, care, and attention in looking after returnees.

“We will continue to work closely with all facilities and staff to ensure a smooth transition.”

A full list outlining the future of the 32 facilities which make up the MIQ network can be found in the tables below.

Facilities which will no longer be part of the MIQ network and will begin the decommissioning process early next week

Facilities that will continue to be used to support groups and to support communities during the current Omicron response until no longer required, but will not remain in the network beyond 30 June

Facilities to be retained beyond 30 June, end date TBC