New Zealand has no new cases of COVID-19. We remain with 8 confirmed and 2 probable cases.
We can provide an update on the two cases announced yesterday. The man in his 60s visiting from Australia, who was tested in Australia prior to flying to New Zealand, is now symptom-free but is in self isolation with two family members. All are well.
The other case is a woman in her 30s who travelled from Denmark to Queenstown.
The woman was unwell and hospitalised for one night. She is now discharged and recovering in monitored self isolation.
Contact tracing on flights has changed to be the two seats in all directions: front, back, both sides and diagonal. This is supported by current evidence and is in line with the approach taken by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
In both instances, public health staff are conducting contact tracing from flights and requesting close contacts stay in self isolation for 14 days from the date of potential exposure.
Healthline knows the seat numbers and will be able to advise anyone on the flight, whether they are considered a close or casual contact.
Our border restrictions, our assertive contact tracing and monitored self isolation are central to our continued approach of keeping out COVID-19, stamping it out and slowing down its progression.
The test result of one passenger on the Golden Princess cruise ship was negative. The Golden Princess has now left New Zealand.
There are other cruise ships in New Zealand, such as the Le Laperouse currently in Wellington which arrived before the new restrictions in place – we understand some of these passengers have already left the cruise to return home. For those remaining in NZ, we ask that New Zealanders continue to greet visitors as warmly as we would normally do.
Self-isolation
I want to thank the thousands of people who have responded so positively to the self-isolation process.
Self-isolation is one of the most effective ways we have of keeping individuals, families and our communities safe and healthy and stopping the spread of COVID-19.
We know there have been a number of calls to Healthline on self-isolation – we have up to date information on our website.
Every situation is different, but at its most basic point it means staying at home if you're sick, or if you may have been in contact with the virus.
