Three members of the Prime Minister's delegation travelling abroad have had their plans derailed mid-trip after testing positive for Covid-19 in Singapore.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at a business breakfast in Singapore this morning. Photo: RNZ / Craig McCulloch
The cases are understood to be from previous infections, meaning they will not be required to isolate and can return to New Zealand.
However, Japan has strict border controls which bar entry for even a faint positive result, and they will be unable to continue on the second leg of the trip in Japan tomorrow.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Trade Minister Damien O'Connor remain Covid-free, and those who tested positive are not media.
Further details have not been released for privacy reasons.
About 50 people are on the trip, including officials, Defence Force crew, and 12 high-powered executives.
They landed in Singapore last night as part of Ardern's first trip overseas since borders closed in 2020 due to Covid-19.
All members of the delegation take rapid antigen tests each day while abroad. If Ardern tests positive while overseas, Trade Minister Damien O'Connor will take over while she isolates.
The delegation is the first of three Ardern intends to lead overseas this year, with trips also planned for Europe and North America.
They are expected to return to New Zealand after three nights in Japan. The trip is largely focused on promoting trade and tourism.