5. Question No. 5—HousingHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HousingQuestion No. 5—Housing5. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Housing: What examples if any is she aware of where people in managed isolation have mixed with other guests at the facility during their 14-day stay? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House) on behalf of the Minister of Housing: Like that member I've seen media reports of returnees mixing with other returnees. Returnees are given clear guidance about the rules for keeping 2 metres' distance from other guests and prominent signage reaffirms this throughout facilities. There is an element of personal responsibility expected from returnees to adhere to those rules. We've introduced an additional layer of assurance with day three and day 12 testing as well as lockdown procedures when a case is confirmed which includes reviewing CCTV footage. It's important to remember that during alert level 4 when COVID-19 was in the community many of us continued to go grocery shopping where we came near other people so it's important that we don't fearmonger regarding this. Putting that aside what we've seen hasn't been good enough and that's why we have brought in the New Zealand Defence Force to manage these operations. I take any concerns about mixing in these facilities seriously and I'll continue to relay my clear expectations that there is strict adherence to the rules. If any member has credible information about mixing they should supply it and it will be followed up. Hon Michael Woodhouse: Given that answer why is it that when a COVID-positive test occurs in a managed isolation facility the whole facility goes into lockdown? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There are a number of things that need to happen including cleaning for example. Very very strict protocols have been put in place to ensure that where there is a positive test the appropriate steps are taken to ensure that it doesn't spread to anybody else. Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has she been made aware of a birthday party that took place in a managed isolation facility bringing multiple people together who should have been isolating separately? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I did see that report on the media. I can confirm that there were no homeless people at that event. Hon Grant Robertson: In light of that question and answer can the Minister provide any examples or in fact has he been provided with any evidence of homeless people mingling with others in managed isolation? SPEAKER: Yeah she"—but other than that yes. Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I have seen allegations that a homeless person was housed in quarantine for two weeks. That report has been rigorously followed up devoting a significant amount of officials' time and it's thus far proven to be nothing more than an urban myth. Hon Michael Woodhouse: In respect of that answer if it was such an urban myth why did the Government spend "hundreds of thousands of dollars" investigating it? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Because on this side of the House we believe members of Parliament should be taken at their word. Hon Michael Woodhouse: No you don't. SPEAKER: Order! Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has she been made aware that the Chief Ombudsman had to cancel a prison inspection because the staff doing it found out they were mixing with people supposed to be in managed isolation? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think the Chief Ombudsman's comments on this are of public record. Those comments were made at least a week ago. Hon Grant Robertson: Has she received a response to the letter that she wrote to the Hon Michael Woodhouse asking him for evidence of his claim of a homeless man joining a managed isolation group? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: On behalf of the Minister I'm advised that no such evidence has been forthcoming. Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is the reason that testing is now so important because she has no confidence that people are isolating effectively within the isolation facilities? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No. Testing is important because it gives everybody confidence that people leaving managed isolation will not have COVID-19."