Saliva testing for border workers given approval

WELLINGTON: The Government has quietly opened the door for saliva testing to be used for the regular testing of border workers.

If used, it could counter workers’ reluctance to get tested because it causes much less discomfort than a nasopharyngeal swab.

It comes as the integrity of the testing regime for managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) workers has come under intense scrutiny, following revelations that a security guard was not tested for five months.

Covid19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins admitted on Thursday there may be up to 60 MIQ workers who were not being regularly tested, though he insisted the risk was ‘‘very low’’.

He has signed a new public health order which increases the frequency of testing for certain border workers, and requires all companies with MIQ workers to use the Government’s border testing register.

The order also enables, from April 21, the taking of saliva for the workers’ tests in a manner approved by directorgeneral of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

At present, the testing has to be either a mouth or a nose swab.

The wider use of saliva testing has been pushed for by University of Otago public health experts, and epidemiologist Prof Michael Baker welcomed the move.

The Ministry of Health has put out requests for proposals for contractors to undertake saliva testing ‘‘to complement ongoing nasopharyngeal’’, Dr Bloomfield said.

The group most affected by invasive swabbing was international aircrew, he said, who were often tested after arriving and before leaving a country.

Air New Zealand chief medical officer Dr Ben Johnston said saliva testing would ‘‘vastly improve the experience for our people who are committed to keeping New Zealanders safe’’.

There was one case of Covid19 reported in managed isolation yesterday. — The New Zealand Herald