Background

New Zealand is one of 74 countries to report confirmed cases of Covid19, the Ministry of Health says. “Keeping individuals, families and our communities safe and healthy in the current global environment requires a team effort and that’s what we’re seeing across New Zealand.

“It is critically important that we both protect New Zealanders from the virus and play our part in the global effort to contain it.” Healthline’s dedicated COVID-19 number, 0800 358 5453, is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

An urgent meeting of the TAG expert advisory group was convened on Wednesday for further advice on case definitions and testing.

The Government confirmed this week that travel restrictions currently in place for China and Iran will continue for a further week, while people entering the country from South Korea and northern Italy will now be told to go into self-isolation.

The expert advisory group has also recently revised the advice to health professionals about identifying possible cases of Covid19 by adding Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand to China as countries and territories of concern when assessing patients. Anyone arriving in NZ who has visited those countries in the previous 14 days is advised if they develop symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath they should seek medical advice by first phoning Healthline’s dedicated Covid-19 number 0800 358 5453 or phone ahead to their GP before their visit.