‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala faka-Tonga
The Government won’t impose mandatory Covid-19 tests on travellers from China – despite the virus running rampant in the country – as there is “minimal public health risk to New Zealand”, Covid-19 Response Minister Ayesha Verrall said.
It means arrivals won’t be required to take a Covid-19 test.
A number of other countries have placed new restrictions on travellers from China.
“There is minimal public health risk to New Zealand from the current situation,” Covid-19 Response Minister Ayesha Verrall said.
“That means additional public health or border measures are not required to protect New Zealanders.”
“Nothing is going to change on that front.”
Verrall said this was because BF7 is the prevalent variant in China, and it hasn’t caused significant outbreaks in other countries – particularly those, like New Zealand, which have had experience with the related BA5 Omicron variant.
“Visitors won’t contribute significantly to our Covid case numbers, meaning entry restrictions aren’t required or justified,” she said.
“However, we do share the WHO’s concerns about China’s lack of information sharing and this is why we’ll be asking travellers from China to help us gather more information.
“It’s entirely voluntary and we’ve had high uptake of these types of measures when we’ve used this method before.”
Verrall also emphasised that new Covid variants can emerge across the world, not only in China.
“Which is why we’re reminding arrivals from all countries; please take the free rapid antigen tests that we offer at the airport, and test if you develop symptoms once you’ve arrived in New Zealand.”
Wastewater from international flights will also be tested by ESR scientists in the coming weeks, she said.
This could potentially replace the voluntary RAT testing in the future if feasible.
“I’ll finish with a hopefully well-known reminder that your best protection against Covid-19 is to make sure that you’ve had a booster vaccine if you’re eligible,” Verrall said.
FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA
‘E ‘ikai hilifaki ha fakangatangata ‘i Nu’u Sila ke fakapapau’i ‘oku ‘ikai
ma’u ‘e ha kau folau mei Siaina ‘e he Koviti’. Kuo ‘i ai ha ngaahi fonua kuo nau
hilifaki ha fakataputapu fo’ou ki he kau folau mei Siaina.
Ka ‘e ‘ikai fai ‘eni ia ‘e Nu’u Sila, fakatatau ki he Minisita ‘o e Koviti
Ayesha Verrall.
Pehe ‘e Verrall ‘oku tupu ‘eni he ko e fōtunga ko ia ‘o e Koviti ‘oku ‘iloa
ko e BF7 ne lahi ‘ene ‘asi ‘i Siaina ka ne ‘ikai lahi ha puke ia ai ‘i he ngaahi
fonua kehe, tautefito ki he ngaahi fonua hange ko Nu’u Sila.
Kaekehe pehe ‘e Verrall ‘oku fai ‘a e hoha’a koe’uhi ko e tokanga ‘a e WHO
ki he mahino ‘oku ‘ikai ke faitotonu ‘a Siaina ‘o tuku mai ‘a e fika totonu ‘o
e lahi ‘o kinautolu puke he Koviti ‘i honau fonua’.
Ne toe pehe ‘e Verrall ko e fotunga fo’ou ‘o e Koviti ‘e lava pe ke ‘asi ‘i mamani
kotoa ‘ikai ko Siaina pe.
Ko e uhinga ia ‘oku nau kole ai pe ki he kau folau ke nau kataki ‘o ngaue’aki
‘a e me’a tesi Koviti ‘oku ma’u ta’etotongi pe ‘i he ngaahi mala’evakapuna ke
fakapapau’i ‘oku ‘ikai ke nau ma’u ‘a e faka’ilonga ‘o e Koviti’.
Ko e vai ‘uli mei he ngaahi fepuna’aki fakavaha’a fonua’ ‘e tesi’i ia ‘i ha
ngaahi uike mei heni ‘e he kau saienisi ESR.
