endeavours to link to sources and information about testing at the air border.
employed by the DHB working on site at an affected airport.
Must not prevent their workers from being tested during their working hours, if testing is available during those workers’ hours. Self-employed/sole trader workers or contractors may need to consider their responsibilities both as an affected worker and as a PCBU/ employer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The following section sets out responses to frequently asked questions and is intended to assist understanding and implementation of the requirements of the Required Testing Order. Please direct any further questions not covered by these FAQs to: COVID-19testing@health.govt.nz. 1.
Why should border workers be tested?
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The aim of these testing measures is to increase the safety of border workers, and to strengthen barriers to prevent COVID-19 entering New Zealand across the border. Workers at borders all have an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 through interaction with travellers and cargo arriving from overseas. Regular testing of border workers provides assurance that use of personal protective equipment (PPE), practising good hygiene and other public health protection measures are effective.
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It is important to remember that the appropriate use of PPE and other public health measures remain the best ways for border workers to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19.
2. What types of COVID-19 testing are available to border workers? •
The nasopharyngeal swab, or deep nasal swab, is the preferred option due to its effectiveness in detecting the virus. However, as border workers are undergoing testing regularly, they may ask for the new ‘alternative swab option’, the oropharyngeal and bilateral anterior nasal swab (ONS). This involves a less invasive swab of one nostril and a throat swab.
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Saliva testing is not currently available for air border workers, but may become an option in future. o
Saliva testing has a lower sensitivity than nasopharyngeal swabbing. At this stage, it is a potential additional screening tool for New Zealand’s highest risk border workers, and it could complement use of the nasopharyngeal method for those being tested regularly.
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Nasopharyngeal swabs remain the ‘gold standard’ test and preferred means of testing for COVID-19 because of their sensitivity.
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