No move to level 2

The border bungle does not mean New Zealand needs to move up to level 2, director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says.

New Zealand was left reeling after it was revealed two women were allowed out of managed isolation soon after returning from the UK on ‘‘compassionate leave’’ without being tested for Covid-19.

They were later found to be Covid-19 positive.

Bloomfield said a move to level 2 was not needed as there was still no evidence of community transmission.

‘‘These cases are expected cases at the border. We will see more,’’ Bloomfield said.

‘‘I’m not concerned about community clusters because we’ve had a long period with no community transmission.

‘‘We haven’t found any for many weeks.’’

University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker said a move back to level 2 might be necessary if there was an outbreak from these imported cases, but this would possibly be at a regional rather than national level.

‘‘Widespread testing and contact tracing is obviously vital to controlling such outbreaks if they occur,’’ Baker said.

‘‘International evidence increasingly supports the use of face masks as an alternative and less disruptive way of suppressing Covid-19 transmission and might avoid the need for a lockdown.

‘‘We therefore strongly recommend that New Zealand develops a policy for the widespread use of masks if required to manage future Covid-19 outbreaks.’’

National Party Health spokesman Michael Woodhouse said there was not yet a case for level 2.

‘If we have examples of community transmission as a consequence of the Government’s failures, then we would have to consider it. But I don’t think we are there yet,’’ Woodhouse said.