Ministry of Health officials have tonight released a raft of new locations of interest after the South Island received its first case of the Delta Covid-19 variant.
They include flights, shops, and service stations across Auckland, Northland, Te Awamutu, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington and Blenheim.
The new locations of interest released at 7pm are:
* Bus 392 Pukekohe – Thursday, October 7, 8.22pm - 9.30pm
* Star Kebab Auckland Central - Friday, October 15, 1.15pm - 1.45pm
* GAS Kaihu – Sunday, October 17, 4pm – 4.30pm
* Rotorua Regional Airport – Wednesday, October 20, 4pm – 5pm
* Rotorua Regional Airport – Thursday, October 21, 6.30am - 7.15am
* Mitre 10 MEGA Blenheim – Thursday, October 22, 2.05pm - 4.30pm
* Shosha Blenheim – Friday, October 22, 4pm – 5pm
* Discounted Meats Glen Eden – Tuesday, October 19, 3.45pm - 5.10pm
* KiwiCamp Riverlands, Blenheim – Friday, October 22, 12am – 7.15pm
* KiwiCamp Riverlands, Blenheim – Thursday, October 21, 10.45am - 11.59pm
* Top of the Town Dairy Te Awamutu – Wednesday, October 20, 10am – 12pm
* Judd and Charles Panel Beaters Wairau Valley, Auckland – Tuesday, October 19, 2.45pm - 4.15pm
* Wairau Pharmacy Blenheim – Thursday, October 21, 9.30am - 9.45am
* Pak'nSave Papakura – Saturday, October 16, 7.46pm - 7.56pm
* Paper Plus Toyworld Te Awamutu – Monday, October 18, 3.23pm - 3.58pm
* Foodmart Omapere – Thursday, October 21, 3.30pm - 3.45pm
* Caltex Hillcrest, Hamilton – Monday, October 18, 1.55pm - 2.30pm
* BP Connect Mangere – Monday, October 18, 5.15pm - 6pm
* Flight NZ8725 Wellington to Blenheim – Thursday, October 21, 9am – 9.30am
* Mobil Wairau Rd Wairau Valley, Auckland – Tuesday, October 19, 3pm – 4.30pm
* Countdown Blenheim – Friday, October 22, 4pm – 5pm
* Flight NZ8231 Rotorua to Wellington – Thursday, October 21, 7am – 8.15am
* Top Of The Town Dairy Te Awamutu – Monday, October 18, 2pm – 6pm
* Wellington Domestic Airport – Thursday, October 21, 8.15am - 9am
* Mitre 10 New Lynn – Saturday, October 16 – 10.30am - 11am
* Couplands Bakery Blenheim – Friday, October 22, 2.45pm - 3pm
* New World Blenheim – Thursday, October 21, 8pm – 8.30pm
It was revealed earlier on Saturday that the South Island has its first Covid case in 12 months - a person who flew from Rotorua to Marlborough and who has been linked to a Waikato cluster.
The Ministry of Health confirmed the case is now isolating in Blenheim.
"It comes after the individual late last night returned a positive Covid-19 test result," the ministry said in a statement.
"The individual flew from Rotorua and arrived in Blenheim on [Thursday]. The individual sought a test upon arrival after developing a sore throat. The initial test, including a follow-up swab, returned a weak positive result.
"Investigations into the source of the infection are underway. However, initial case interviews suggest the case is linked to the Te Awamutu cluster."
The ministry said the current public health assessment was that the risk appeared low given the individual's likely late stage of infection.
"So far, initial case interviews have identified a small number of close contacts, who have been contacted and are currently isolating with tests arranged.
"Interviews are also being undertaken to determine any locations of interest."
News of Delta finally hitting the Mainland after a year dodging the virus has hit Blenheim businesses hard.
Annette Gould, manager of Copper Beech House, was left shaken by the news.
"It doesn't surprise me, I guess we've been waiting for this to happen but I've really got to get tighter in the hostel," said Gould.
She is now considering mandatory vaccination proof for all visitors.
"I might say no newcomers unless they are vaccinated, and those already here, they have until the end of November to get vaccinated, I don't know," she said.
"If we get one hit on Covid, we have to shut down and everyone will lose their job. The repercussions will be huge."
The popular hostel, which has had some international visitors staying for nearly two years because of the global pandemic, has enforced QR code scanning throughout the Covid-free months.
Regular updates are posted on a board, and around 80 per cent of visitors have been vaccinated.
The hostel caters for up to 60 guests, with visitors all working locally, in vineyards, wineries, factories, construction and hospitality.
A widespread outbreak would be devastating, Gould says, and she encourages all backpackers to get the jab.
"We've survived it this far, with two lockdowns, and the first one was hell, the second one scary, and we've managed to keep going," she said.
"Every day you touch wood and hope everyone is being sensible."
One Blenheim business manager said they had systems in place if alert levels changed.
"For most of us, it'll just be a case of 'Here we go again...'."
The shock case was the "kick up the backside" the South Island needed, according to Pete Coldwell, general manager of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce.
He said South Islanders had felt "isolated" from the virus and lived a relatively normal life over the past 12 months, so he hoped the new case would prompt the unvaccinated to get the jab.
Hospitality and tourism have been hardest hit by Covid-19 in the Marlborough region, but many other businesses have suffered knock-on effects.
However most businesses were returning to "some semblance of normality" until today's news.
"Today they're just wondering if they'll be locked down again," Coldwell said.
"Hopefully, this latest case is truly isolated and it doesn't spread. And if that scenario comes through then it's just a case of vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate...
"It's going to get here again – at some point – even if they do contain this one. So we just need to get the vaccination numbers up and get them up quickly."
EARLIER
The Ministry earlier released the first Northland locations connected to a mother and daughter who have tested positive.
The two new Northland Covid cases were confirmed yesterday, just days after the region emerged from level 3 lockdown.
The two new cases are now isolating near Kaikohe and, with a third potential case in Whangārei Heads, health officials are urging Northlanders to get tested.
The Ministry earlier released four Northland locations on Saturday - they are:
* Hunting and Fishing New Zealand Kaitaia, Wednesday, October 20 (11am-11.30am)
* The Warehouse, Kaitaia, Wednesday, October 20 (10.45am-11.05am)
* Four Square Opononi, Thursday, October 21 (3.30pm-3.45pm)
* Boatshed Cafe Rawene, Friday October 22 (10am-10.30am)
The two cases are contacts of a recently diagnosed case in Auckland. They are not linked to the Covid-positive women who travelled to the region at the start of the month.
The Northern Advocate understands the cases are a woman and her daughter who live in the Kaikohe area.
It's understood the woman has had her first Covid vaccination but her daughter has not had any.
The Ministry of Health said on Friday the individuals recently travelled to the Kaikohe area from Auckland.
"This was permitted travel under alert level 3. The individuals are now isolating."
The pair were tested on Wednesday, October 20, and were not included in today's case numbers because their test results were received after the ministry's daily reporting period.
The ministry reported 129 new community cases on Friday - in Auckland (120) and Waikato (9).
It said a case investigation was under way and had so far identified a limited number of close contacts, who were undergoing tests.
Other new locations of interest released on Saturday are in Auckland:
* Paper Plus Te Awamutu, Tuesday, October 19, (1.22pm-1.55pm)
* Dawson Rd Superette Lotto Clover Park, Tuesday October 19 (1.30pm-2pm)
* Mobil Glen Innes, Tuesday, October 19 (6:40pm-6.50pm)
New times have been released for the following locations:
* Pak'nSave Clendon, Tuesday, October 19 (7:45pm-8.15pm)
* Countdown Te Awamutu, Wednesday October 20 (9am-10:03am)
EARLIER LOCATIONS
Long Bay Beach, a popular picnic destination on Auckland's North Shore, is among a list of new locations of interest linked to Covid-infected people to be released by health officials.
People who went to the beach last Saturday, October 16 between noon and 4.30pm are being asked to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days, and to get a test if symptoms develop.
A woman who was there on the day said it was crowded, with "hundreds if not thousands" last weekend.
Locations released at 6pm on Friday also included five supermarkets, New World in New Lynn, Supervalue Flatbush, Fresh Choice Te Awamutu and Countdown Supermarkets in Kaikohe and Te Awamutu.
• Long Bay Beach: Long Bay, Auckland. Sat, Oct 16, 12-4.30pm
• SuperValue Flatbush: 8/130 Dawson Road, Clover Park, Auckland. Tue, Oct 19, 10.15am-11am
• FreshChoice Te Awamutu: 39 Rewi Street, Te Awamutu. Tues Oct 16, 12.40pm-1.46pm
• Wang Mart Henderson: 33 Catherine Street, Mon, Oct 18, 12.09pm-12.15pm
Lincoln Rd in Henderson, West Auckland, now has 13 locations of interest and exposure events at supermarkets, eateries, stores and a pharmacy there.
Well-known for its many takeaway restaurants and eateries, Lincoln Rd's two main supermarkets - Pak'nSave and Countdown - have both recorded several visits by Covid positive members of the public over the past two weeks.
The Unichem Medi-Centre Pharmacy and a popular meat and fruit and vegetable shop, Mr Meats Plus, are both locations of interest; as is Waitakere Hospital's emergency department, which is also on Lincoln Rd.
A liquor store, West Liquor Lincoln Green, is also linked to a Covid case.
• West Liquor Lincoln Green: 159 Lincoln Rd: Thurs, Oct 14, noon-12.10pm
• Mr Meats Plus: 8/155 Lincoln Rd: Thurs, Oct 14, 12.30pm-1pm
• Pak'nSave Lincoln: Corner of Lincoln Rd and Universal Drive: (five times)
- Weds, Oct 13, 3pm-3.20pm
- Weds, Oct 13, 5.15pm-6pm
- Tues, Oct 12, 9.04pm-10pm
- Sun, Oct 10, 4.30pm-6.15pm
- Weds, Oct 6, 8am-9am
• Countdown Lincoln: Corner of Universal Drive and Lincoln Rd (four times)
- Mon, Oct 18, 12.35pm-1pm
- Sat, Oct 16, 1.32pm-1.42pm
- Sun, Oct 10, noon-1pm
- Tues, Oct 5, 5.15pm-6.15pm
• Unichem Medi-Centre Pharmacy: 131 Lincoln Rd: Sat, Oct 9, 9.15pm-11pm
• Waitakere Hospital Emergency Room: 55 Lincoln Rd: Sat, Oct 9, 8.14pm-8.36pm
In today's update from the Ministry of Health, five new locations or exposure of interest have been identified - all in Auckland.
• Supa Save Supermarket: 6 Fair Mall, Otara. Mon, Oct 18, 1pm-1.15pm
• Pak'nSave Glen Innes: (twice) 182 Apirana Ave, Glen Innes. Sat, Oct 16, 11.45am-1pm and Sun, Oct 17, 6pm-7.15pm
• Mobil Wiri: 62 Wiri Station Rd, Wiri. Sat, Oct 16, 1pm-1.10pm
• Inverell Superette: 25 Inverell Ave, Wiri. Sun, Oct 17, 3pm-3.10pm
The Supa Save Supermarket at Fair Mall, in Otara, was visited by a person with Covid on Monday afternoon between 1pm and 1.15pm.
Anyone who was there during that 15 minutes is advised to monitor their health for 14 days after being at the shop and to get a test done if Covid symptoms start to show.
Pak'nSave Glen Innes, on Apirana Avenue, had two exposure events over the weekend - firstly on Saturday between 11.45am and 1pm and then Sunday evening between 6pm and 7.15pm.
The same health advice is being given to anyone affected by those visits also.
The other two locations have been identified in Wiri near Manurewa, South Auckland.
An infected member of the public visited the Mobil gas station, on Wiri Station Rd, on Saturday afternoon between 1pm and 1.10pm.
A Covid positive case was also at the Inverell Superette, on Inverell Ave, the next day for 10 minutes between 3pm and 3.10pm.
The latest anyone with the virus has been out and about in the community was two days ago, according to the ministry's locations list.
Greenhithe Pharmacy Unichem, at 8 Greenhithe Rd, is connected to an infected person there between 2pm and 2.30pm on Wednesday.
A shopper at Countdown Manukau that day has also tested positive for Covid. They were at the supermarket, at 652 Great South Rd, for just under half an hour between 10.38am and 11am.
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