Departure testing to go early

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says it’s likely the Government will end the requirement for pre-departure testing early.

His signal that pre-departure tests were going was one in a range of points he outlined as part of the Government’s change of focus, as Covid-19 became part of ‘‘the new normal’’.

The Government had already announced that pre-departure tests would no longer be required from August, but Hipkins said he was ‘‘in the process of making a decision’’ about ending the requirement sooner. Pre-departure tests, for people coming into New Zealand, were ‘‘less important’’ and provided ‘‘a lot less value’’ than they once did, he said.

Other Pacific nations, such as Fiji and the Cook Islands, have already removed their pre-departure test requirements.

Hipkins also confirmed the Government would launch an inquiry into the pandemic and its response. Cabinet was yet to decide what form the inquiry would take, but an announcement will come later this year, he said.