An Air New Zealand crew member has tested positive for Covid-19, with their last duty flight three days earlier.
File image. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
The fully vaccinated crew member tested positive on Wednesday 18 August as part of the airline's regular surveillance testing programme for international aircrew.
The person is not part of the community cluster of positive cases which now numbers 10.
Air New Zealand Chief Medical Officer Dr Ben Johnston said in a statement the crew member's last duty was flight NZ90 from Narita which arrived in Auckland on 15 August.
"They are now isolating following advice from the Ministry of Health," Johnston said.
"Other aircrew who are close contacts are being advised and will be isolated and tested according to the Ministry of Health's requirements.
"There are significant precautions in place for our crew operating to international destinations set out by the Ministry of Health, and we are confident our people are following the protocols diligently.
"These include taking private transport to and from their layover hotel, isolating in the hotel and wearing PPE at all times while on layover. Aircrew are also subject to regular surveillance testing where they are tested up to once every seven days. "
Johnston said 82 percent of Air NZ frontline workers had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 80 percent were fully vaccinated.
This is an official Covid-19 alert.
All of New Zealand is now at Covid-19 alert level 4.
The alert level will be reviewed after 3 days for all areas EXCEPT Auckland & Coromandel Peninsula which is likely to remain at level 4 for an initial period of 7 days.
A community case of Covid-19 has been identified.
Stay at home where possible & follow the Alert Level 4 guidelines. This will stop the spread of Covid-19 and SAVE LIVES.
Everyone is asked to:
Wear a mask and keep a 2 metre distance from others whenever you leave your home.
If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.
Keep on scanning QR codes whenever you leave your home.
Practice good hygiene - wash hands often.
Services including supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics & petrol stations will stay open at Alert Level 4.
For more information on Alert Level 4 go to [the government website www.covid19.govt.nz]
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Kia Kaha - Stay Strong