Pursuant to clause 8(1) of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Testing for COVID-19) Order 2022 (“Order”), I, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General of Health, hereby specify the following method of medical examination and testing for COVID-19, at the following times, to be required for any person who is required to be tested pursuant to clause 8 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) 2021 (relevant person).

1. A relevant person must undergo a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT):

1. within 24 hours after that person entered New Zealand; and
2. between 120 hours and 144 hours after that person entered New Zealand (being the 5th or 6th day).

2. A relevant person must report a positive or negative result of a RAT to the Ministry of Health:

1. via a website link provided to returnees by email; or
2. by phoning the COVID-19 test results line on 0800 432 010 and leaving a message with their name, phone number, email address, and result.

3. If a relevant person receives a positive result from a RAT undertaken pursuant to this notice, the relevant person must report for and undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the positive RAT result.

Definitions

• For the purpose of this notice, a RAT is testing for antigens specific to SARS-CoV-2 (rapid antigen test).
• For the purpose of this notice, a PCR test is testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral ribonucleic acid using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Dated at Wellington this 3rd day of March 2022.

Dr ASHLEY BLOOMFIELD, Director-General of Health.