Photo: SuppliedHaving escaped the turbulence of a Covid-ravaged UK, Lyttleton man Kian Malone expected his return home to be less, not more, traumatic. Malone flew back to New Zealand on March 8, 2021 and entered managed isolation at the Grand Mercure Auckland hotel for what was, initially, a routine stay. Because officials could not be sure where exactly the infected person sat on the exercise bus, all passengers were deemed close contacts and told they must stay in isolation for longer. Bus journeys to off-site exercise areas have also been paused, and an investigation has been launched into the off-site exercise yards. It was the realisation that he faced a prolonged stay in isolation that hit Malone the hardest.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 31, 2021 20:03 UTC