*Please note this email is separate to the correspondence you received on the 14 July 2020
titled 'Additional clinical guidance on community testing for COVID-19'. Kia ora koutou, I’m writing to you with further details of our plan to test border workforce groups. In this context, this group includes those who work in Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities, in addition to those working at ports of entry and air and maritime crew. We are currently working to increase access to COVID-19 testing for people who work at the border who do not have symptoms, for surveillance purposes, as these people may be exposed to travellers infected with COVID-19 in the course of their work. This is part of our updated COVID-19 testing strategy and case definition. Testing will be primarily carried out through on-site testing in some key locations such as Auckland Airport. Some border workers may be directed to be tested at their local CBACs, or primary care clinic / GP if a CBAC is not accessible. This is one aspect of our surveillance strategy at the border along with daily health checks and testing for staff who have symptoms. All testing for border workers (including air crew) is funded by the Ministry of Health via DHBs, and the assessment and swabbing of these workers should be at no cost to the individual concerned. Please find below key messages and FAQs with the information currently available. We are working with the health sector to develop a roll out-schedule and will be in contact with you again with further details when we have them. DHBs: Please share this email with all appropriate parts of your DHB which may include COOs, GMs planning and funding, Maori GMs planning and funding, labs and other frontline providers. We will send this notification to primary care, but you can also send it to primary care contacts within your DHB if you choose. PHOs: Please distribute this email to your practices. Key messages •The greatest risk of COVID-19 re-entering the community is at the border, with returnees from overseas. We prioritise testing for those in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities around days 3 and 12. •We also prioritise testing for public-facing border workers who have symptoms, and there are well-established protocols for this, including daily health checks. •In addition, we will routinely test public-facing border workers who do not have symptoms with on-site testing, for surveillance purposes. This will be a rolling programme. •We are focusing on testing staff who don’t have symptoms at MIQ facilities first, as this group have the most sustained contact with returnees who may have COVID-19. •This has begun with on-site testing in Wellington, Auckland and Canterbury. Ministry of
Health officials are now working with the health sector on a roll-out plan and schedule for other locations. •Ministry of Health officials will also work with employers of border workers who have more transient contact – such as airport security staff for example – to ensure they have optimal access to testing, including making on-site testing available. • Asymptomatic testing is voluntary. •We also direct employers to protect workers who are border-facing from potential risk of COVID-19 through putting in place systems to ensure good hygiene practices and physical distancing and the appropriate use of PPE.
FAQ How will people be tested? Testing will be available through two options: •onsite testing at the workplace. •at other times staff can attend a COVID-19 Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC), the first option for testing outside of workplace, or primary care facility/GP if a CBAC is not accessible. Information for people being offered testing People who are offered testing will be provided with written information which explains the testing process, its purpose, and what happens to the test results, including that results may be communicated to their employer as part of monitoring and managing COVID-19 in New Zealand. How is this testing different to testing people who do have COVID-19 symptoms? This testing is for people without symptoms, for surveillance purposes, and this is one part of our elimination strategy. Is there a cost to the patient? No, this is to be provided at no cost to the patient. Communication of results The samples taken will be sent to the lab for testing. Results are usually available within two - three days – these results will be communicated to each individual person who is tested. Should people self-isolate while awaiting test results? People who do not have symptoms and are being tested as part of this programme do not need to stay off work, at home, while awaiting their test results. They can go about life as usual in the current Alert Level. Positive results are notified to the local Public Health Unit (PHU). Information for PHUs if a person tests positive It is unlikely that people without symptoms, even those working in roles that relate to New
Zealand’s international border, will test positive for COVID-19. PHUs will be notified of a positive case and will contact the person and advise them to go into self-isolation immediately. PHUs will stay in contact with the person and continue to provide advice until they recover. PHUs should also work with those involved to decide who else is at risk and needs to go into self-isolation and be tested through their contact tracing protocols (close contacts). Employers will be directed to provide the contact details of staff members who are close contacts, and people who have visited your premises that are also close contacts.
Where can I access more information? If you have further questions please email covidcomms@health.govt.nz Information for health professionals can be found at the Ministry of Health website https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novelcoronavirus/covid-19-resources-health-professionals/covid-19-advice-all-healthprofessionals#advice Where are people being directed to for more information? • For general help and advice about the COVID-19 situation in New Zealand we will direct border workers to visit www.covid19.govt.nz or call the free government helpline on 0800 779 997 (8am to 10pm, 7 days a week). •We will advise border workers with medical queries to call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice 24/7, noting that Healthline does NOT have access to test results.
Response and Coordination COVID-19 Health System Response Ministry of Health http://www.health.govt.nz