Ninety Cook Islanders stranded in Alert Level 2 regions of New Zealand are expected to land on Rarotonga tomorrow.

About 60 rooms have been prepared at Edgewater Resort and Spa as the first repatriation flight from Christchurch will see the group enter into at least seven days of Managed Isolation Quarantine (MIQ). 

During this period, they will need to clear day zero and day five tests for Covid-19.  

Edgewater Resort and Spa chief executive Andrew Whittaker said he had been working with Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health staff in preparation for the arrivals. 

Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed stand-up preparation of the Edgewater Resort had been completed and all key agencies attended a briefing on Friday last week ahead of the repatriation flight from Christchurch.

PM Brown said training of all MIQ workers had been completed, with Puna security workers following early this week. 

Training had also been provided to staff of essential businesses including CITC and Primefoods, and would continue for other businesses that would be classified as essential services under Alert Levels 3 or 4, he added. 

The Pacific Medical Association had been engaged to undertake the exit health screenings at both Christchurch and Auckland airports.

On Thursday October 14, the second repatriation flight of qualifying people currently sheltering in the Auckland region at Alert Level 3 is scheduled to arrive on Rarotonga. 

That group will enter into at least 14 days of MIQ at the Edgewater Resort and will have additional Covid-19 testing.

Both groups will undergo a Covid-19 test 72 hours before departure, as well as a health screening test at the airport before boarding.