Rarotonga leaps into Covid testing action with the influx of Kiwis on the island

Over 3000 kiwis visitors are currently in Rarotonga, where the Cook Islands have gone into Alert Level 2. 

The government made a swift public announcement following New Zealand’s Level 4 decision last night, rolled out Level 2 measures and a fast and effective Covid testing regime around the island this morning. 

All passengers that were in flights from Aug 11th are being asked to isolate in their accommodation and get Covid tested at the many stations set up overnight around the island. This process included an efficient drive through service with well trained local staff at the ready. 

With the current barometer for Island Covid 19 being Fiji, the fear of the virus hitting the smaller Island of Rarotonga is uppermost on the minds of health workers and some locals: 

“We are worried but all we can do is the best we can in the current situation, we have had two years of practice and we have put it into action. We have a system in place and are confident and we know what to do. We have acted fast, but we know what our health system can deal with and there are way too many people here at the moment to cope. We have a hospital ward ready and prepared if Covid hits but that’s a whole other situation” says one local health nurse.  

One visitor from overseas is impressed with the health situation here and said that New Zealand could learn a thing or two from the efficiency of the testing stations.

"The process here in the Cook Islands is so organised, we've had our swab this morning, our Covid tests and New Zealand should take the lead on whats happening up here" 

As of today there have been 808 Covid related deaths in neighboring Fiji, where the virus continues to be rampant and fatal.

For some locals, the threat of Covid in Rarotonga was inevitable and could have been mitigated better.

“When the bubble opened up between NZ and the the Cook Islands and our government made the decision to stop the requirement of a negative covid test before entering the country, the threat of covid getting here was always lurking,  always real and I feel inevitable.

I think we have been very complacent about the threat of covid. It is scary and worrying for me most especially because my husband has underlying health issues, we have infant grandchildren and they are all very vulnerable.” - Anna Koteka 

Local Rarotongans say the business impacts are minor compared to the health risks of the nation:

“The health of our people is first priority. So I am just on standby to make decisions that will be in our peoples best interest, we have sent staff that have been in contact with tourists home to isolate abd we are taking this really seriously. In terms of business - the biggest impact is that stock will now be further delayed and we have to take another hit with closing our stores and social distancing at Level 2.” says, Cherrelle Sherwin, Mareko Island Creations. 

Many accommodation owners who have just opened after the long draught of business are under duress today trying to realign all their bookings and get Covid information to their guests: 

“We are focusing on providing accurate information and updates to all of our in-house guests and staff, to ensure they stay as safe as possible. We are also busy fielding heaps of emails and phone calls from guests due to arrive this week. We have had our hotel’s Level 2 guidelines prepared since the bubble opened, and we’re pleased with how quickly we’ve been able to implement the guidelines today” - Betsy Eisler ‘Palm Grove’.

Bellas Beach Bungalows and Shekinah Homes Ltd property manager Annabelle Tatuava added "It's no big deal, as long as our guests have been swabbed and they're not in panic mode we encourage them to stay off their gadgets, go for a swim and do what they'd normally do" 

Other small locally owned businesses like the Island popular ‘Luv Cafe’ say that while it’s a challenge to cope with changing environments beyond their control, recent renovations mean they have more space for social distancing and they are ready to do this efficiently and safely. 

For many kiwis on holiday it’s a bitter sweet situation, where escaping from a Level 4 winter lock down to an Island Level 2 in the sun is idyllic, but worrying about family in NZ and realigning work situations is causing anxiety for many.

Air New Zealand will organise more than 800 flights for 50,000 passengers over the next 48 hours to get Kiwis home. 

The ongoing prayer is that the Cook Islands continues being the Covid free paradise it has always been.