AOG COVID-19 Message Grid - 28 February

COVID-19 Message Grid 28 February 2022 This contains the most up-to-date and approved messaging on key COVID-19 matters.

Information that changes or is added between grids will be highlighted.

Please ensure you are using the most up to date version.

This version was current at 28/02/2022 6:41 pm.

In this edition:

COVID-19 Message Grid 19 October 2021

This contains the most up-to-date and approved messaging on key International travel ......................................................................................................1 COVID-19 matters.

Information that changes or is added between grids will be highlighted.

Unite Against COVID-19 ............................................................................................

3 Please ensure you are using the most up to date version.

This version was current at 28/02/2022 6:41 pm

Vaccinations.................................................................................................................. 5

International travel Topic Reconnecting New Zealand to the World

Key message

Supporting messages

From 11:59pm, Wednesday 2 March all selfisolation requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering New Zealand from Australia will be lifted.

Cabinet has agreed that from 11.59pm Wednesday 2 March all fully vaccinated travellers from Australia entering New Zealand will no longer need to self-isolate for seven days.

Every traveller will still be required to undertake a rapid antigen tests on arrival and on Day 5/6. All positive RATs must be registered and followed up with a PCR test.

This is different to the advice for those currently in the community who test positive with a RAT who don’t

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Notes PM’s stand-up, 28 Feb

need a PCR follow up. As our border will likely be the first place to see any new variants, we need to keep the ability to do whole genome sequencing to monitor if any new potential strains of the virus are entering the country.

All incoming travellers will still be required to undertake a pre-departure test before they get on a plane.

Reconnecting New Zealand to the World

Step 2 brought forward.

New Zealanders and eligible critical workers from the rest of the world in Step 2 will now be able to arrive from 11.59pm Friday March 4 and will not need to selfisolate.

PM’s stand-up, 28 Feb

Due to immigration processes other non-New Zealanders who are part of Step 2 such as working holiday visa holders and RSE workers will still be eligible to arrive from 13 March and will not have to isolate.

Cabinet will review the timings of the remaining steps in the coming weeks.

Reconnecting New Zealand to the World

Cabinet to review the timings of the remaining steps in the coming weeks.

Cabinet will soon consider bringing other Reconnecting New Zealand steps forward.

The remaining steps include other visa holders in April, Australians and visitors from visa waiver countries by July, and all others from October.

PM’s stand-up, 28 Feb

Advice from experts is that getting over the peak of Omicron should be factored into this timing.

MIQ update

MIQ to remain in place for now.

All unvaccinated travellers will still need to enter MIQ. Advice is being sought on whether this requirement needs to remain going forward in the longer term.

While New Zealand continues to face a global pandemic, MIQ remains a useful tool to have available, even if it is not used at the scale in the past.

Unite Against COVID-19 Page 2 of 5

PM’s stand-up, 28 Feb

Topic Rapid Antigen Test supply update

Key Message 10.8 million Rapid Antigen Tests have arrived in the country since Friday.

Supporting Messages 5.2 million RATs arrived in New Zealand last Thursday.

These new RATs will flow through the supply chain and into Community Testing Centres, GPs, pharmacies and businesses where they can be accessed by anyone who needs one.

Notes MoH PR, 28 Feb

The wide-ranging and disruptive impact of COVID-19 on the domestic freight and courier networks has had an impact on distribution and delivery times for RATs in some areas. Work is underway to ensure there is supply in all communities, including those in remote areas.

From today, the Ministry of Health will report the number of RATs dispatched from its central warehouse, instead of the overall volume (as previously reported), in the daily COVID-19 media statement.

Hospitalisations update

Disproportionate number of unvaccinated cases requiring hospital care as COVID-19 cases increase.

Only 3% of eligible people aged 12 and over in New Zealand have had no doses of the vaccine, however, of the eligible people in Northland and Auckland hospitals with COVID-19, 12% have had no doses of the vaccine.

MoH PR, 28 Feb

Even this early in the Omicron outbreak, the figures show that, based on the data available, unvaccinated people are four times over-represented in the current hospitalisation data.

The numbers send a clear message: getting vaccinated will help to keep people out of hospital if they catch COVID-19, and could save lives.

COVID-19 among protestors update

The Ministry of Health remains concerned about the spread of COVID-19 at the protest at Parliament.

There are now 17 people identified as having tested positive who were at the protest. Due to reluctance by protestors to get a COVID-19 test, the true number of cases linked to the protest is likely to be much higher.

All those currently at the protest, or who have been at the protest, who are displaying cold and flu symptoms are advised to get a test and isolate until they receive their result.

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MoH PR, 28 Feb

Health update

Hospitalisations, cases and testing.

Hospitalisations There are currently 344 people in hospitals across New Zealand.

MoH PR, 28 Feb

5 cases are in high dependency or intensive care units.

Cases There are 14,633 new cases in the community (8,398 identified through PCR, 10,811 via RAT), and 24 new cases identified at the border.

Testing 22,742 PCR tests processed nationwide in the last 24 hours.

Vaccinations Topic Booster programme update

Key message Yesterday 13,707 booster doses were administered in New Zealand.

Supporting messages The total number of people who have received boosters – including those vaccinated overseas – is 2,349,368 boosted (70.3% of those eligible)

Notes MoH PR, 28 Feb

The numbers send a clear message: getting vaccinated will help to keep you out of hospital if you catch COVID19 and could save your life.

Getting a booster dose provides a high level of protection against Omicron. With Omicron spreading quickly, we’re continuing to encourage every remaining eligible person to get boosted as soon as possible.

Vaccination progress

95% of eligible people in New Zealand have had two vaccine doses.

Vaccines administered in New Zealand yesterday: 176 first doses; 423 second doses; 136 third primary doses.

Vaccines administered in New Zealand to date: 4,019,345 first doses; 3,959,359 second doses; 33,421 third primary doses; 2,347,710 booster doses: 240,354 paediatric first doses and 3,269 paediatric second doses

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MoH PR, 28 Feb

Paediatric vaccines

1,175 paediatric first doses and 150 paediatric second doses were administered yesterday.

To date, 240,354 paediatric first doses and 3,269 paediatric second doses have been administered in New Zealand.

Detailed information on COVID-19 vaccines for children can be found at the MoH and UAC websites: COVID-19 vaccine and children: Information for parents and caregivers | Ministry of Health NZ How children and young people can get vaccinated | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)

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MoH PR, 28 Feb