Two new cases in MIQ

There are two new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation, and none in the community.

The update came shortly before the pause on quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and New South Wales was due to be lifted last night. Flights were to resume from midnight, despite social restrictions continuing in greater Sydney, with NSW “keen to prevent a superspreading event”. Quarantinefree travel was halted after two positive community cases were found in Sydney.

On Saturday, a New Zealander identified as a contact of a community case of Covid-19 in Sydney returned a negative result.

So far, 5568 people who have arrived in New Zealand from NSW since Friday last week have been contacted by health authorities and provided with advice. Travellers who have arrived in New Zealand and have been at a location of interest during the exposure time must immediately self-isolate and call Healthline for advice on getting tested.

Yesterday’s two cases arrived from the Philippines via Singapore and from Pakistan via the United Arab Emirates. Both were detected after routine testing on day zero of their stay.

A private jet arrived in Auckland on Saturday night and another last night carrying Kiwi cricketers and coaches from India. The cricketers left India after the Indian Premier League was suspended and went into managed isolation upon arrival in New Zealand.

On Saturday, there were three new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation and three historical cases.