The Government is set to "step up" rules around self-isolation, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said today, revealing there are "quarantine powers available to us".
It comes a day after the significant announcement that all travellers entering New Zealand will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, except for those coming from the Pacific.
New Zealand already had self-isolation rules for Italy and South Korea.
"Travel has really fallen away because of our rules of self isolation. It changes people’s habits," Ms Ardern told TVNZ1's Q+A with Jack Tame this morning.
"Over 10,000 have successfully self-isolated and it has worked," she said.
Yesterday, New Zealand's sixth case of coronavirus was confirmed .
"People have been complying," Ms Ardern said.
"We are going to step up that enforcement, things like spot checks to ensure people are self-isolating. If you don’t self isolate there are quarantine powers available to us."
"We can put you in a facility and we can monitor your movements. My view is … most people are following those requirements."
Ms Ardern said it would be in a hospital or medical facility.
Ms Ardern appeared on TVNZ1’s Q+A with Jack Tame on March 15, 2020. (Source: Other)
"Those are powers we haven’t had to use and I do not anticipate having to use, but they do exist."
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