Backpackers travelling from overseas say they WON’T self-isolate – putting millions of other people at risk of catching the deadly coronavirus
- European backpackers who arrived in New Zealand refused to self-isolate
- They are ignoring the strict isolation measures in place from Monday onward
- The backpackers said they would be driving a campervan around the country
- All eight of New Zealand’s COVID-19 cases have been from people overseas
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
International backpackers have said they will not go into isolation and instead risk spreading coronavirus to millions of others.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that anyone entering the country from 1am on Monday onward would need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Despite the new regulations European backpackers who arrived at Christchurch airport said they would continue to travel, according to Newshub.
International backpackers have said they will not go into isolation and instead risk spreading coronavirus to millions of others
The young European backpackers had flown into New Zealand via Melbourne and said they intended to carry out their travel plans as normal. Pictured: A passenger at a Sydney airport in Australia
The young European backpackers told Newshub reporter Juliet Speedy at Christchurch Airport that they had flown into New Zealand via Melbourne and said they intended to carry out their travel plans as normal.
‘It’s actually these people who are the biggest risk in terms of coronavirus on our soil because these people have been travelling far and wide,’ Speedy said after speaking to the backpackers.
‘It’s anyone’s guess how the New Zealand authorities are going to keep track of travellers like these.’
They said they would be hiring a camper van to drive around the country, instead of self isolating, potentially exposing millions of New Zealanders to the deadly virus.
The backpackers noted that they would ‘try’ to keep their distance from people.
Ms Ardern said that any tourists who failed to self isolate could face deportation.
‘It’s anyone’s guess how the New Zealand authorities are going to keep track of travellers like these,’ she said.
Meanwhile the New Zealand nationals who were returning home said they understood that the isolation rules were necessary.
The travel restrictions imposed in New Zealand are set to be reviewed in 16 days.
Cruise ships have also been banned from entering the country until at least the end of June.
These strict measures are focused on limiting the movement of people, not goods, and the nation will continue to have overseas products and essential items delivered.
All eight of New Zealand’s confirmed COVID-19 cases have been related to people arriving from overseas and no human-to-human transmission has been recorded.
There have been more than 156,000 coronavirus cases around the world and the death toll has reached almost 6000.
New Zealand enforced strict regulations that anyone entering the country from Monday onward would need to self-isolate to protect against coronavirus. Pictured: Travellers arrive at Auckland Airport wearing facemasks