Covid-19 infected crew were to be taken to MIQ. A fishing vessel carrying 16 mariners with Covid-19 is expected to arrive in Lyttelton​ Port just before 9am. The Spanish-flagged ship was not fishing in New Zealand waters and was initially heading to Taranaki to change crews. Due to Section 4 of the Health Act (Quarantine), the mariners were not liable for the charges of staying in MIQ. National’s Covid-19 response spokesman, Chris Bishop, said the mariners should pay for their stay, not the Government.

Source: Stuff July 17, 2021 20:03 UTC