Air New Zealand’s been forced to stop new bookings to New Zealand as the country tries to manage recent arrivals.

The announcement follows news that another Christchurch hotel will be used as a managed isolation facility.

Destination Hotel in Cathedral Square is being set up, with military personnel seen outside this morning.

A staff member said staff are happy with the situation and more people have been employed to help with operation.

Hotel staff at other Christchurch facilitates told Chris Lynch they don’t fear for their health and are confident with the systems in place.

Housing Minister Megan Woods said “Air Commodore Darryn Webb and I met with Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive Greg Foran to discuss safe and robust ways to jointly manage the big growth in New Zealanders coming home.”

“Air New Zealand has agreed to put a temporary hold on new bookings in the short term, as well as looking at aligning daily arrivals with the capacity available at managed isolation facilities.”

“People who have already booked flights with Air New Zealand will still be able to enter New Zealand subject to availability of quarantine space.”

“We have seen similar moves in Australia, where passenger numbers into Sydney have been limited following the suspension of flights into Melbourne because of the surge in COVID cases in Victoria.”

“They too are having to manage the flow of people into the country to match availability of managed isolation beds.”

“We are seeing rapid growth in the numbers of New Zealander coming home as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens.”

“Our number one priority is stopping the virus at the border, so everyone must to go into quarantine or managed isolation.”

“The Government is also talking to other airlines about managing flows.”

Air Commodore Darryn Webb says there are nearly 6000 people in 28 managed isolation facilities, and the Government is calling up more spaces all the time, but we need to do so safely and new facilities need to be watertight before they are opened.

“These temporary measures will ease the current demand on facilities while additional supply is brought on line.”

“In the past three weeks we have brought on capacity of ten new facilities for 2,000 more people, and have a plan to bring on another 750 places in the coming weeks.”

“The pause on new bookings will be short-term, and allows us to increase supply to match forecast demand over the coming weeks.”

“We are closely monitoring the situation and working with Air New Zealand to smooth demand and ensure returnees can be safely housed in managed isolation facilities.”

The numbers of those arriving has continued to increase in recent weeks, with 5,697 people currently in managed isolation and quarantine. Over 26,400 people have been through managed isolation and quarantine since 26 March.