Health authorities are trying to allay any fears that might be preventing people from coming forward for a Covid-19 test.
A health worker conducts a Covid-19 test in a drive through Community Based Assessment Centre in Christchurch. Photo: AFP
Minister of Health Chris Hipkins gave the assurance today that overstayers would not face repercussions if they got tested.
Hipkins said he wanted to make it "absolutely clear" that the government would not use any information collected through testing for "immigration purposes".
"If people are here on an expired visa and they go and get a test we will not join those two dots together".
"Regardless of your personal circumstances if you're asked to get a test or you're in that group that's at greater risk, please get the test. We won't use that information to punish you in some other way and I cannot state that enough".
- If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre
Minister of immigration Kris Faafoi said the government had made the decision because it did not want people to be afraid of getting a test.
"We want to encourage people, especially in the Pacific community to go and get a test, because that's the predominant community that's being affected in Auckland at the moment. So if there's any fear that Immigration might take any action on them as a result of taking a Covid test - it won't happen", he said.
Faafoi said people did not need to have a National Health Index number in order to get a test.
Managed isolation and quarantine
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has given the assurance people who test positive for Covid-19 are not moved into managed isolation and quarantine facilities immediately.
Most of the country's Covid-19 community cases and their families are moved to government managed quarantine.
Bloomfield said when a person tested positive, the first priority was to find out who their close contacts were and to isolate and test them.
Health officials then worked to move people to quarantine facilities, he said, but people were given ample opportunity to get their affairs in order first.
"There's no suddenly a van arrives at someone's house and carts people off, that's not how the process works," Bloomfield said.
Officials help people to ensure their income or welfare needs are met during their stay in quarantine, as well as sorting care for pets, he added.
Read more about the Covid-19 coronavirus:
- See all RNZ Covid-19 news
- Covid-19 symptoms: What they are and how they make you feel
- Touching your Face: Why do we do it and how to stop
- Scientific hand-washing advice to avoid infection
- Your Covid-19 questions answered - from health and employment to managing anxiety
- A timeline: How the coronavirus started, spread and stalled life in New Zealand
- Coronavirus: A glossary of terms