The Covid-19 Response Minister says there could well be "quite significant" rates of Covid-19 in the community once returning New Zealanders can self-isolate at the end of the month.
In just over three weeks, people can return from Australia without having to go into managed isolation, replaced with 10 days of self-isolation.
Chris Hipkins told Morning Report even if returnees are isolating in shared houses or apartments, there may be widespread community transmission anyway.
"I think we have to acknowledge that the risk of Covid-19 is going to be much more significant across the country, regardless of what we're doing at the border.
"We know with Omicron the spread of Covid-19, the spread of cases, could be quite significant throughout the country.
"So, there will be people in those apartment blocks, there will be people in those shared accommodation areas who have Covid-19, and they've picked it up in the community."
Hipkins couldn't confirm how, or even if, self-isolating returnees will be monitored for compliance.
