(Reuters] -New Zealand Prime minister Jacinda Ardern stayed at home on Sunday after the country’s 103 new COVID-19 infection rates were revealed. A pregnant journalist claimed that she was being held captive in Afghanistan and highlighted its strict border controls.

Ardern, in self-isolation https://www.reuters.com/world/new-zealand-pm-ardern-is-self-isolating-after-exposure-covid-positive-case-2022-01-29 until Tuesday, took a coronavirus test on Sunday after being exposed to an infected person. According to her office, results are expected Monday or Tuesday.

Journalist Charlotte Bellis said in an article in the New Zealand Herald that she could not return from Afghanistan, where she had been reporting, after Ardern’s government rejected her application for an exemption to gain entry.

Bellis said that the Taliban would offer her safe shelter if you are a pregnant and unmarried women. Bellis also wrote that she felt trapped together with her Belgian companion.

Bellis’s case has ignited heated social media debate about New Zealand’s COVID-19 rules, and the strict border controls. Some call Bellis’s instance a case of bureaucratic cruelty while others support the system.

The Jan. 24, application of her was denied because she was applying for travel to February 27th – longer than the 14-day period allowed for those who need time-critical treatment. Chris Bunny is head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine.

Bellis was contacted by Bunny asking her to return her application within 14 days and to contact them if she intends to book her flight forward.

Bellis was informed by the agency that they had written to them on Sunday about a possible application under an emergency allocation for New Zealand residents and citizens who are in dangerous situations or locations.

Bunny explained that the emergency allocation team keeps an eye on applicants and Charlotte’s geographical location in Afghanistan caught their attention.

Bellis stated in an article that she chose travel dates beyond the window because of a shortage of flights from Kabul. She also said, “give us enough time to appeal if rejected.”

New Zealand’s border has been closed to outsiders since March 2020. Because of concerns about an Omicron virus outbreak in Australia’s neighbouring country, New Zealand, the government has delayed plans for a gradual reopening of its borders between mid-January and the end February.

New Zealand, a country with five million inhabitants, has seen 15,910 coronavirus confirmed cases and 52 deaths.