In NZ for second day

Bloomfield said a review of the criteria was under way, as well as a review of each application decision in light of Christiansen’s High Court victory.

Justice Tracey Walker, who heard the case on Friday, found authorities had interpreted the rules narrowly and failed to use their powers of discretion.

Since March 28, about 6000 travellers to New Zealand have gone into either managed isolation or quarantine – the former if a person displayed symptoms of Covid-19. Currently, there were 179 people in quarantine facilities and just under 2800 people in managed isolation.

‘‘These precautions are obviously to prevent the virus from coming into our country,’’ Bloomfield said. ‘‘[There is] a process for requesting an exemption. . . . As a result of [Christiansen’s] judicial review, I have asked our team to review previous similar requests.’’

Questioned about people being able to visit and support hospital patients at alert level two, Bloomfield confirmed the visitor policy for district health boards was being looked at.

Asked about reports economy class passengers on the repatriation flights from India did not have spaces between them, he said careful consideration on whether they were well enough to travel would have been given, and testing and other measures would have been carried out.

Ardern also confirmed she participated in an Australian national Cabinet meeting yesterday, attended by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and various state premiers. Because the meeting was still under way at the time of the briefing, Ardern did not reveal specific details but was to issue a press release at its conclusion.

‘‘I would note that such a discussion has only been possible as a result of the world-leading results on both sides of the Tasman to get the virus under control and I do think that we should both be proud of the efforts that have been made,’’ Ardern said.

High on the agenda was a potential trans-tasman travel bubble, which would enable people to travel between Australia and New Zealand without the need for quarantining.