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sbiddle
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  #2646252 3-Feb-2021 07:19
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mattwnz:

 

sbiddle:

 

And as predicted MIQ is just becoming a total lottery. Looking this morning there are now 3 night available until the end of May (1st April, 25th April and 23rd May a matter of days after this became available). It's gonna be a total shambles in the 2nd half of this year as people start traveling again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are people going to start travelling in the second half of this year? I though NZs borders are going to be closed for the rest of the year. Except for maybe an NZ - OZ bubble. Until NZ has immunity I can't see how travel is possible, and as are vaccination program looks to be behind other countries, I can't see much travel occurring for a long time yet

 

 

As the rest of the world potentially starts to open up from the middle of the year or so then more people are going to travel and that's simply going to make the MIQ situation far worse. I already know people who have been through MIQ multiple times.

 

The problem we have with a bubble with Aussie (if it does happens) is that Australia is going to probably be opening it's borders well before us since they plan to have their vaccination rollout complete by September or October whereas NZ is due to be complete by April 2022. What happens if Aussie starts letting people in again later this year (which is a rough timeframer they're talking about) whereas we're still closed up until 1st July 2022? Do we then need to suspend the bubble due to the risk it poses?

 

 

 

 




tdgeek
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  #2646254 3-Feb-2021 07:24
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sbiddle:

 

 

 

You mean other countries like Singapore, Iceland and Australia? Oh wait none of them have being ravaged.

 

 

 

 

I said to other countries not every other country


Oblivian
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  #2646274 3-Feb-2021 08:40
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Have said a few times, we're at the mercy of the rest of the world dictating how long this continues for unless everyone pulls finger

 

And now it looks like the UK continuing their newest wave of slack-lock spreading isn't helping.

 

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/covid-19-coronavirus-uk-variant-mutates-again-and-may-be-able-to-evade-vaccines-and-immune-system/JW32475LZ7UURGN7TE5DV2GT2Q/ 




wellygary
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  #2646278 3-Feb-2021 08:49
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Oblivian:

 

 
Emirates are going back to the UK. Twice a week, flying in empty and taking people out. It blocks out there inbound concerns https://amp.9news.com.au/article/5c69d793-06d9-4b82-98bf-fd3632eb0f1 

 

 

 

Yeah, Although capacity is severely restricted,  they were previously running 4 A380s daily LHR-DBX, this is replaced by a single 777....


Scott3
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  #2646338 3-Feb-2021 09:59
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Scott3:

 

No destination showing now, but doing 8.6kn at 178 deg. Not much else south of New Caledonia other than New Zealand...

Presumption is that they would have left the 61 crew with no visa's behind, picked up some supplies and are now heading to NZ.

If the replacement crew they recruite don't have STCW Basic, I think the course only take's 9 days. Might have to cancel the first cruise....  

 

 

 

 

Ignore the above. Ship is heading north now:

 

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:5545628/


kingdragonfly
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  #2646433 3-Feb-2021 13:17
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BuzzFeed: California Anti-Vaxxers Temporarily Shut Down One Of The Largest COVID-19 Vaccination Sites In The US

A group of anti-vax protesters temporarily shut down the COVID-19 vaccination site at Los Angeles California's Dodger Stadium on Saturday, delaying appointments by nearly an hour.

About 50 protesters gathered at the stadium entrance, holding signs with anti-vaccine and anti-mask rhetoric and shouting at drivers who were lined up for their vaccination appointments. No vaccine appointments were canceled, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told BuzzFeed News.
...
Earlier this month, anti-mask protesters calling COVID-19 a "con job" harassed shoppers at an LA mall and grocery store. It was not immediately clear whether the two protest groups were connected
...
The county is currently vaccinating residents 65 and older, as well as healthcare workers and nursing facility staff and residents, but COVID-19 cases have continued to increase. To date, 1 out of every 9 residents in LA County has tested positive for COVID-19, and at least one COVID-19 death is recorded in the county every 10 minutes.
...

 
 
 

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freitasm
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  #2646468 3-Feb-2021 14:52
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Press release:

 

 

First COVID-19 vaccine approved

 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed Medsafe’s provisional approval of New Zealand’s first COVID-19 vaccine.

 

“The provisional approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is a positive step in New Zealand’s fight against COVID-19. It means we can now begin preparations for the first stage in our vaccination roll-out,” Jacinda Ardern said.

 

“Medsafe provides independent advice to the Government and approves all medicines and vaccines available in New Zealand. Approval has been a very carefully considered and robust process, with safety the key priority.

 

“Medsafe’s decision is the culmination of a rigorous assessment process over many months to ensure the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is safe and effective to use here. It is informed by the most up to date medical and scientific data. We can have confidence in their decision.

 

“They’ve been in regular contact with medicines regulators around the world where the vaccine is already being rolled out. Allowing some time to study the vaccine roll-out overseas has provided extra assurance before starting our vaccination programme here.

 

“New Zealand is in a fortunate position in not having any current community outbreaks or transmission of COVID-19. Those most at risk of getting COVID-19 will receive the vaccine first, with the broader community accessing the vaccine from the second half of the year.

 

“Subject to expected delivery of the first batch of the vaccine, we will start vaccinating first our border workers and the people they live with. People such as cleaners, the nurses who undertake health checks in MIQ, security staff, customs and border officials, airline staff and hotel workers will be among the first to get the vaccine.

 

“Vaccinating our frontline staff will provide a critical additional line of defence to keep them well and to help prevent COVID-19 entering the community. It’s an extra layer to help protect New Zealanders and our economy against a future outbreak,” Jacinda Ardern said.

 

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine provides a green light for the first phase of the vaccination programme in New Zealand to begin.

 

“Following Medsafe’s approval, Ministry of Health officials will give advice to the Government this week about the ‘decision to use’ the vaccine. This will essentially set out who are most suited to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, such as age ranges,” Chris Hipkins said.

 

“We expect the first Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines will arrive in New Zealand by the end of the first quarter, but we are making sure everything is in place in case there is an earlier arrival.

 

“Once vaccination of our border workers starts, we expect it to be completed within two to three weeks.

 

“I want to acknowledge the global efforts towards developing this vaccine and others, which have been given to millions of people around the world,” Chris Hipkins said.

 

Jacinda Ardern said the Government will be encouraging all New Zealanders to get vaccinated.

 

“I have said 2021 is the Year of the Vaccine. It’s a full-year programme we have only just begun. We’re not in a race to be first, but to ensure safe and timely access to vaccines for all New Zealanders. 

 

“Getting vaccinated will save lives, and this is the next job of the team of five million.

 

“We have come far in the fight against COVID; getting vaccinated is key to locking in the gains we have made and protecting our hard won freedoms.”

 

Note to editors:

 

Provisional consent means the pharmaceutical company must meet certain conditions, including supplying more data from its clinical trials around the world as they progress. This will happen at the same time as the vaccine is rolled out.

 

Provisional approval is not uncommon, for instance the annual influenza vaccine is given provisional approval for the same reason.

 





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Oblivian
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  #2646526 3-Feb-2021 16:52
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Rikkitic
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  #2646542 3-Feb-2021 17:41
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Oblivian:

 

And as we saw with it heading home.. Cruise ship has packed it in

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300220578/cruise-line-denied-entry-to-new-zealand-cancels-upcoming-season 

 

 

So what's the truth here? Was the cruise line playing fast and loose and just assuming they could bull their way through, or was NZ putting up unreasonable obstacles as different bureaucracies tripped over each other?

 

 





Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 


Batman

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  #2646543 3-Feb-2021 17:45
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Rikkitic:

 

Oblivian:

 

And as we saw with it heading home.. Cruise ship has packed it in

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300220578/cruise-line-denied-entry-to-new-zealand-cancels-upcoming-season 

 

 

So what's the truth here? Was the cruise line playing fast and loose and just assuming they could bull their way through, or was NZ putting up unreasonable obstacles as different bureaucracies tripped over each other?

 

 

 

 

yeah i'm curious too. usually it's some half truths from both sides. would a company set sail 10,000km to somewhere that said no?


Buster
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  #2646545 3-Feb-2021 17:49
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Batman:

 

Rikkitic:

 

So what's the truth here? Was the cruise line playing fast and loose and just assuming they could bull their way through, or was NZ putting up unreasonable obstacles as different bureaucracies tripped over each other?

 

 

yeah i'm curious too. usually it's some half truths from both sides. would a company set sail 10,000km to somewhere that said no?

 

 

The former one would hope.


Oblivian
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  #2646552 3-Feb-2021 18:10
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Rikkitic:

 

So what's the truth here? Was the cruise line playing fast and loose and just assuming they could bull their way through, or was NZ putting up unreasonable obstacles as different bureaucracies tripped over each other?

 

 

Playing mash the media it appears..

 

Claimed to be coming for a refit to Auckland company - advised Sure. But you need to get visas

 

- Both sides disputing. 1 Saying they had it, 1 saying they left before it was processed

 

- Disputed number of 'essential crew'

 

after 29 technical crew were granted visas

 

included a $150,000 refit of the vessel due to be carried out by Titan Marine in Auckland

 

Knowing full well there are multiple cached pages from house of travel advertising cruises starting March, after said refit. Presumably they either thought they had an agreement to do them as part of this. Or someone severely misunderstood it's reason for coming here

 

- Not clear if they were approved for Cruising also, or crew numbers

 

Going out on a limb here. But there is possibly 2 application types. The 2nd being for 'Tourism' classification -  where the economy sees growth so exemption is given under a different review.  Which these guys seem to have got https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/431087/nz-only-cruise-ship-arrives-with-exempted-russian-crew 

 

So perhaps the French one, misunderstood. We may never know with he said she said.


ezbee
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  #2646563 3-Feb-2021 18:56
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Victorian authorities investigating possible transmission of coronavirus in hotel quarantine
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-03/victoria-investigating-possible-coronavirus-spread-in-quarantine/13117828

 

""
Victorian authorities are investigating the possible transmission of COVID-19 within its hotel quarantine system after a family of five and another returned traveler on the same floor all tested positive for the same UK variant of the virus.
""

 

Perhaps an indicator that everyone needs to tighten procedures to account for the new variants ?
Might be statistical outlier or sign that increased transmission is testing Hotel management and ventilation systems.
Though I understand in Australia there is less traipsing back and forth through corridors during your stay with no smoking breaks etc.

 

Last thing I saw on Aussie and Cruise ships is they had put decisions out till March, and I expect rules around crews are jet to be defined.


Scott3
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  #2646682 3-Feb-2021 22:13
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Oblivian:

 

Rikkitic:

 

So what's the truth here? Was the cruise line playing fast and loose and just assuming they could bull their way through, or was NZ putting up unreasonable obstacles as different bureaucracies tripped over each other?

 

 

Playing mash the media it appears..

 

Claimed to be coming for a refit to Auckland company - advised Sure. But you need to get visas

 

- Both sides disputing. 1 Saying they had it, 1 saying they left before it was processed

 

- Disputed number of 'essential crew'

 

after 29 technical crew were granted visas

 

included a $150,000 refit of the vessel due to be carried out by Titan Marine in Auckland

 

Knowing full well there are multiple cached pages from house of travel advertising cruises starting March, after said refit. Presumably they either thought they had an agreement to do them as part of this. Or someone severely misunderstood it's reason for coming here

 

- Not clear if they were approved for Cruising also, or crew numbers

 

Going out on a limb here. But there is possibly 2 application types. The 2nd being for 'Tourism' classification -  where the economy sees growth so exemption is given under a different review.  Which these guys seem to have got https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/431087/nz-only-cruise-ship-arrives-with-exempted-russian-crew 

 

So perhaps the French one, misunderstood. We may never know with he said she said.

 

 

The immigration rules have been effective (and public accessible) for nearly 4 months:

 

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/#73789.htm

 

They are extremely clear. There is even an example of a charter super yacht spelling out that only crew required to operate the vessel with no guests on board are permitted.

 

 

 

So this leaves two options:

 

  • The cruise line messed up big time and didn't check the rules or was poorly advised.
  • The planned turn up and apply pressure on the government and hope they caved.

Neither seem very likely. Being one of only two cruise ships available to New Zealanders would have ment they could charge high prices. Likely sufficient to cover recruiting and paying NZ based staff (incl funding there 9 day ship basic training course). If they started this process a month ago, and offered the going wage for hospo workers in NZ I don't think there would have been any difficulty finding staff.

 

 

 

Re the Russian ship, it came in through the the same exemption refit or repair.

 

That RNZ article mentions that they will hire New Zealanders to work on the ship: "We will spend thousands provisioning the ship with food and supplies as well as hiring New Zealanders to work on the ship,"

 

22 crew is a plausible number of operational, non guest crew (if a little high for such a small ship). It is quite possible some crew have dual roles. I.e. when no guests are on they are the third engineer, but when guests are present they become a guest focused worker (but on standby for engineering emergencies) and the boats operates with just two engineers carrying a higher workload. If this is how the ship normally operates without guests present, the INZ rules allow those people.

 

That ship has capacity for 30 crew and 50 guests. So the 22 number they brought leaves 8 crew berths vacant. 8 hotel crew to 50 guests gives a ratio of 6.3:1. Which is again plausible (some shared crew or chef/cook would improve this ratio).


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