By Jane Patterson of RNZ



There is no sign the Government will tighten quarantine controls for those arriving at the border, in response to calls from the Opposition to quarantine and test everyone.

Police have admitted they have not been able to carry out the expected level of checking on people sent home to self-isolate; if they arrive in New Zealand with no COVID-19 symptoms and have a plan for self-isolation.

Those with symptoms or with no plan are put into quarantine, or closely supervised self-isolation in a hotel.

At present there are about 4000 recent arrivals self isolating, but Opposition MPs say there is no way of knowing if they are sticking to the rules.

Outgoing Police Commissioner Mike Bush said initially police could not get the information out to frontline officers, and they were not able to visit each arrival within three days.