A lockdown has been lifted from Hamilton's District Court after a suspected Covid-related incident.
Hamilton District Court Photo: RNZ
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the person who visited the Hamilton District Court this morning has tested negative for Covid-19.
"The precautionary action to lockdown the court was taken by local agencies after some initial reports that the person had symptoms consistent with Covid-19.
"The Ministry of Health acknowledges our border workers willingness to undergo regular Covid-19 tests that are helping keep all New Zealanders safe from Covid-19. These people do not need to stay home - unless they develop symptoms."
Up to 50 people are being treated as casual contacts and have been told they aren't required to do any mandatory quarantine.
The court lockdown was issued about 10am and lifted at 11.30am.
In a statement, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the court was shut as a precautionary measure and in line with Covid-19 protocols developed to deal with these situations.
"Court participants have now left the court after supplying contact tracing information," Maeve Neilson, acting deputy secretary corporate and digital services, said.
"The court building will remain closed for the rest of the day while areas are sanitised appropriately in line with Ministry of Health guidance."
The ministry is urging people who feel unwell to not come to the courthouse, and for other attendees to use the NZ Covid Tracer app.
- 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