The Government has unveiled its "worst-case scenario" plan on how New Zealand would respond to another Covid-19 outbreak if one occurred over the summer months.
The Government has unveiled its "worst-case scenario" plan on how New Zealand would respond to another Covid-19 outbreak if one occurred over the summer months.
"If we find it, we'll stamp it out, and we've made sure the Government's Covid-19 team, and the national support network, are ready," Covid-19 ResponseMinister Chris Hipkins said.
And as many New Zealanders are preparing for a "well-earned" summer break, Hipkins put a new Covid-19 twist on a tried-and-tested Kiwi classic.
This summer, he wants people to: "Slip, slop, slap and scan".
"After a long hard year, New Zealanders do deserve to have a summer holiday," he said.
This afternoon, Hipkins and director general of health Ashley Bloomfield unveiled the Government's Covid-19 summer resurgence plan, which include a number of scenarios.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and director general of health Ashley Bloomfield. Photo / Mark Mitchell
They range from a now typical contained border case to a full-on national response.
For example, a "national response" would be triggered if someone returned home from a musical festival and tested positive for Covid-19.
In this scenario, nationwide testing would be dramatically ramped up and other events across the country would be cancelled.
New Zealanders would also be asked to "stay where they are in their bubble" and wait for official advice, even if they are away at a holiday home or a bach.
Hipkins said that people in remote locations, where there is limited cellphone coverage, would very likely be safe from exposure to Covid-19.
But they would still need to follow public health advice upon return from those locations – "this is a personal responsibility".
During the press conference, Bloomfield also revealed there was just one new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation today.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has also outlined how the Government would financially respond, if there was a summer outbreak. This includes another round of the wage subsidy payment if New Zealand – or affected regions – goes into level 3 or 4.
If New Zealand goes into level 2, that would trigger the Government's new Resurgence Support Payment.
The payment includes a core per business rate of $1500, plus $400 per employee, up to a total of 50 full-time (equivalent) employees – a $21,500 limit.
This scheme would be available to businesses which experience a 30 per cent drop in revenue over a 14-day period.
In addition to this, if any worker needs to stay home while awaiting a Covid-19 test, the Government will pay their employer $350 to cover the cost of their absence – the employee would take sick leave.
Hipkins said Covid-19 is raging offshore and, despite the Government's best efforts, there's always the possibility of further community cases in New Zealand.
"The summer holiday period poses some unique challenges in responding to an outbreak," he said.
"Large numbers of us will be travelling for holidays or seasonal work, there are more social gatherings and large events such as festivals – and, like other Kiwis, there will be health system workers taking well-deserved leave."
Outbreak phases
Phase one: Assessment Community case confirmed and transmission risk assessed
Phase two: Immediate response If needed, Ministry of Health Covid-19 Resurgence Plan and National Resurgence Response Plan would be activated. The location and extent of outbreak risk would be assessed.
A central government leadership group would decide if any further action is required, or monitors the situation, or activates response system.
Phrase three: Sustained Response If response system activated, a team of central and local government, iwi and community leaders work with local Civil Defence and Emergency Management to manage the outbreak, including: immediate public health response care for vulnerable people and communities support businesses.
Have a back-up plan
To prevent another outbreak, the Government is continuing to ask New Zealanders to follow Covid-19 prevention steps.
These include keeping Bluetooth turned on and continuing to scan the Covid-19 tracer app, staying home if one is sick and exercising basic hygiene.
"Although we can't predict exactly where or how a community case might emerge, New Zealanders can be reassured planning has been extensive," Hipkins said.
Bloomfield said it has been a tough year but "we do not want to drop a catch now".
But having a plan was the best course of action even if, as Bloomfield said, it's highly unlikely there would be another outbreak over summer.
