Going into a Managed Isolation or Quarantine (MIQ) facility
What to take into a MIQ facility
If you test positive for COVID-19 your doctor or a health professional will get in touch. They will explain what it means to have COVID-19 and what you are required to do.
You will need to stay at home or go into a Managed Isolation Quarantine (MIQ) facility so you do not give others COVID-19.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are very unwell dial 111 to call an ambulance.
If you test positive for COVID-19 you may be allowed to stay at home until you recover and no longer risk infecting others. You will need to stay at home for at least 10 days, and until you have had no symptoms for 72 hours.
While you are self-isolating:
You will receive regular calls from community health services while you are at home to check your symptoms. They will also make sure you have essential items you need, such as groceries. Other support is also available.
If you or your household leave your home or have visitors over you may have to go into a MIQ facility.
Download the isolating at home factsheet.
You may be asked to go to a MIQ facility until you have recovered from COVID-19 and no longer risk infecting others. These facilities are staffed by a team of health professionals, hotel and government personnel.
While there you will be provided with everything you need, such as food, free medical access and internet access. A range of additional support is also available for you and your whānau.
If you have children public health staff will work with you to see how best they can be looked after while you are in isolation. In some cases children will need to go with their parents or caregivers to the MIQ facility. Exemptions can also be provided for carers to join you if necessary.
Learn more about entering an MIQ facility at miq.govt.nz.
It is important you bring items you may need from your home. This includes:
Do not go outside to the shops, school or work to get these items or have any visitors in your home to provide them. You can ask for support while in an MIQ facility to get any additional essential items you or your household may need.
You will be able to leave the MIQ facility once you have recovered and are no longer infectious with COVID-19. This means you no longer risk spreading the virus to people in your household, community or place of work. Public health staff will let you know when you are allowed to leave.
You should keep monitoring your health after leaving the MIQ facility. Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your General Practitioner if you have any follow up questions or queries regarding your health or develop any symptoms of COVID-19.
Further information is available at miq.govt.nz.
You will need to go into isolation even if you are already vaccinated. You may still get ill or pass the virus to others even if you feel well.
If you are not already vaccinated you can get your first vaccination shot 4 weeks after you have left the MIQ facility or finishing isolating at home. The COVID-19 vaccine is free and is available to everyone aged 12 and over in Aotearoa.
When you get vaccinated you are protecting yourself and helping to reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to your whānau, friends and community.
Find out more about the vaccination.
Any people living in your house might have caught COVID-19 and will be close contacts. They therefore have to stay at home and self-isolate for at least 14 days.
It may be safer for you and your household to go into the MIQ facility together instead of isolating at home. Health staff will discuss this with you and your whānau.
Explore other translated resources.
Any people living in your house might have caught COVID-19 and will be close contacts. They therefore have to stay at home and self-isolate for at least 14 days.
It may be safer for you and your household to go into the MIQ facility together instead of isolating at home. Health staff will discuss this with you and your whānau.
Explore other translated resources.
Last updated 22.10.2021