new community cases. On 4 October, the Government abandoned New Zealand's elimination strategy, citing its failure to contained the Delta variant outbreak that began in Auckland in August 2021. On 21 October, the Government confirmed that repatriation flights carrying New Zealand citizens who had been deported from Australian under Section 501(3A) of the Australian Migration Act 1958 would resume in November 2021 following a three-month hiatus. The Government has contracted a designated MIQ facility to host these returnees. On 28 October, COVID-19 Response Minister Hipkins announced that international arrivals will only have to isolate for seven days from 14 November in an effort to free up about 1,500 rooms a month. From 8 November, fully vaccinated travellers from low risk Pacific Island countries such as the Cook Islands will be eligible for quarantine-free travel. On 24 November, Hipkins announced that MIQ border restrictions would be eased in a three-stage process over 2022: From 17 January, all fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers can travel to New Zealand from Australia without having to go through managed isolation and quarantine. From 14 February, all fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers can travel to New Zealand from all other countries without having to go through MIQ. From 30 April, all fully vaccinated foreign travellers can travel to New Zealand without having to go through MIQ. On 21 December 2021, Hipkins announced that the Government would be delaying the planned reopening of the country's border to the end of February 2022 in order to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. In addition, the length of stay at MIQ facilities for all travellers was raised to ten days, with no self-isolation component. Hipkins also announced that the Government would treat everyone on an international flight with a positive case as a close contact. 2022 On 18 January, Hipkins postponed the next MIQ lottery due to a tenfold increase in Omicron cases detected at the border. Grounded Kiwis member and Australian–based expatriate Maxine Strydom stated that the Government's decision would cause New Zealanders stranded abroad emotional and mental stress since many were facing expiring visas and job losses. While health economist Professor Paula Lorgelly expressed disappointment with the suspension, she said that she understood the Government's decision, describing it as "a short-term pain for what I perceive to be quite a long-term gain." On 19 January NZ Herald reported that