Airline, Govt to trial faster new Covid test
Air New Zealand will trial a new type of Covid-19 test that’s being touted as ‘‘innovative and accurate’’.
Associate Covid-19 Response Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said the Government was partnering with the airline to use the Lucira Check-It test on 30 employees, for three months.
‘‘As New Zealand reconnects with the world, we are exploring innovative Covid-19 testing technology to help keep people safe and minimise disruption as we welcome new visitors.’’
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are the two main forms of Covid-19 testing in New Zealand.
The new test uses LoopMediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology, which had the potential to combine the speed of RATs with the accuracy of PCR tests, she said.
The Government was ‘‘constantly monitoring’’ the latest scientific advancements to maintain its ‘‘successful Covid-19 response’’, Verrall said.
‘‘LAMP tests are both cheaper than PCRs and more convenient: they are self-administered and provide results to users within 30 minutes.’’
The trial’s costs were being shared between the Government and Air New Zealand. The retail price for the tests overseas was about $75 each. While the Verrall could not give the exact number of tests ordered, she said it was in the ‘‘tens of thousands’’.
There were wider benefits LAMP tests could provide including a self-test option with quick results for travellers, border workers, healthcare workers and critical employees prior to travel or commencing work, she said.
Verrall added the tests could also be used in high-risk settings such as aged residential care facilities and hospitals.
‘‘The purpose of this trial is to prove that the test can be easily self-administered and that the Air New Zealand crew taking part can quickly identify the results.’’
The start of this trial coincided with the first visitors from visawavier countries being allowed back into the country from 11.59pm yesterday.
Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran said it had been 767 days since travellers from those countries had flown in.
‘‘Flights are looking pretty good . . . so we’re excited,’’ Foran said.