There have been seven new cases of Covid-19 confirmed today, including the six who are members of the Pakistan men's cricket team announced last night.
Photo: AFP
In a statement the Health Ministry said the Pakistan team will be undergoing day three testing today as planned.
New Zealand Cricket yesterday confirmed that six members of the Pakistan cricket team touring squad in New Zealand had tested positive for Covid-19 in managed isolation in Christchurch.
The Ministry said the exemption to train while in managed isolation did not come into effect until after day three test results are available, and only once a medical officer of health would be satisfied that they are unlikely to transmit the coronavirus.
"As per usual protocols, all cases have been interviewed and close contacts, including flight contacts, have been, or are in the process of being, contacted.
"All passengers who arrived on the same flight as the Pakistan Cricket Team are currently staying in an MIQ facility to carry out their 14 days in isolation."
The Ministry said the team members that arrived in New Zealand met the predeparture requirements for travel, "including multiple PCR tests, and symptom checks".
It said exemptions allowing people to train while in managed isolation were "very difficult to obtain and any team that receives such an exemption is in a privileged position".
"A number of the incidents reported yesterday that constituted breach of the rules of managed isolation, included players leaving rooms without masks, mingling and chatting in hallways, and passing items.
"The touring party is staying in a separate wing of the managed isolation facility at the Chateau on the Park in Christchurch. The reported breaches have occurred within the touring party and do not affect other guests at the facility."
The Ministry said the team's compliance with the rules inside the isolation facility had "significantly improved" since they had been issued with a warning.
"We thank members of the team for their cooperation with the case investigations following the announcement of positive cases within the team. Cooperation and compliance are critical in ensuring New Zealand is kept safe from Covid-19."
The other new case reported today arrived on 23 November and tested positive during day three testing.
There are now 66 active cases of the coronavirus and the total number of confirmed cases is now 1691.
New Zealand's laboratories processed 7454 tests yesterday.
Earlier today the government announced that it would allow up to 2000 Recognised Seasonal Employer, or RSE, workers from selected Pacific Island countries to come to New Zealand to help pick fruit and vegetables this summer, however it has imposed strict conditions.
Yesterday, the ministry reported one new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation.
The ministry also yesterday confirmed that the Air New Zealand crew member who tested positive for Covid-19 in China is not linked to known cases in New Zealand.