Two more people have tested positive for Covid-19 and there are now 10 active cases in the country. Both of the two new cases are in managed isolation facilities, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says.
A Kiwi woman who travelled from Scotland to Tauranga with multiple stops in various countries was let out of 14-day quarantine despite never being tested.
The Tauranga woman was allowed to socialise with other travellers in dedicated smoking areas.
She flew in to New Zealand on May 26 and was placed in quarantine at Auckland's Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Her father is furious with authorities for not conducting any Covid-19 tests and believes the system's mass failings could leave New Zealand in ruins.
"I'm glad to have my daughter back but this cannot go on. Our country cannot do what we just did [lockdown] or we'll be on our knees," he told Stuff.
The backlash comes as a pair from the UK were allowed to leave quarantine on compassionate grounds before they tested positive for Covid-19.
TESTING KIWIS IN ISOLATION FACILITIES
Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield said today that 55 people had left quarantine on compassionate exemptions since June 10 and all had now been followed up and tested. Some of these had been tested before departure.
Of the 190 people staying at the Novotel Ellerslie from June 6-13, where two UK sisters stayed before driving to Wellington and testing positive, a total of three people had yet to be contacted.
The ministry was working to contact 2159 people who've left isolation since that date.
Bloomfield said New Zealand was one of very few countries which requires both 14-day isolation and double-testing before being allowed in the community. He said this was in line with international health guidelines.
All people leaving managed isolation now need to return a negative Covid-19 test before leaving a facility.
This story initially said five guests staying at Novotel Ellerlise were yet to be followed up with. This was incorrect - three guests were yet to be followed with.
