Covid 19
Dr Caroline McElnay on international travel changes
From today, all international arrivals into New Zealand will need to provide a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of their departure, down from the previous 72 hours.
Director of Public Health… Audio
Concerns about contact tracing system for Omicron - technologist
With Omicron knocking on New Zealand's doorstep, there's concern about how our contact tracing system will cope when it begins spreading in the community.
The system came under severe strain when… Audio
Covid-19: NZ should learn from mistakes of other countries
As the Omicron Covid-19 variant continues its rapid spread internationally, putting pressure on health and testing systems across the globe, overseas health experts say New Zealand can learn from the… Audio
New Zealand's testing services could be overwhelmed by Omicron
Lab scientists are warning the country's diagnostic testing services could be quickly overwhelmed if the Covid-19 Omicron variant spreads as quickly here as it is in New South Wales.
The Government… Audio
Rapid response Covid-19 teams grapple with shortage of nurses
A leader of an intensive effort to boost Māori Covid-19 vaccinations says nurses are in short supply and it's time to look at training more Māori.
NZ must 'boost like crazy' before Omicron spreads - epidemiologist
Rising Covid-19 cases at the border are increasing the risk of the Omicron variant spreading in Aotearoa but a leading epidemiologist says the country still has time to prepare for an outbreak. Audio
Christchurch City Council introduces Covid-19 vaccine mandate for staff
Christchurch City Council is requiring its 2600 staff to be fully vaccinated under a new mandate.
'No one will miss out': Covid-19 vaccine booster demand soars
Wellington District Health Board says "exceptionally high demand" for Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters has seen some sites run short of doses.
Retirement village staff member tests negative to Covid-19 after positive RAT result
A staff member at a Tauranga rest home who got a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) result for Covid-19 has had a negative nasal swab.
Covid-19 pre-departure testing changes to kick in tomorrow
Travellers from 105 countries and jurisdictions will also be able to show proof of a negative Covid-19 result through other means than a PCR.
Covid-19 update: 19 new community cases, 43 cases at the border
There are 19 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today and 43 cases in managed isolation, the Ministry of Health has reported.
Covid-19: 35k new cases in NSW, 22k in Victoria, Tasmania warns of surge
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has told employers to stop forcing staff to get a Covid test before returning to work after the state recorded 34,994 new cases and six deaths.
Music's Grammy Awards indefinitely postponed as Omicron spreads
This year's Grammy Awards ceremony honouring top performances in music has been postponed indefinitely due to organisers' concerns about the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Epidemiologist believes Omicron is nearing peak in Australia
More than 65, 000 new Covid cases were recorded in Australia yesterday - more than half of those in New South Wales - as the Omicron variant continues to steamroll across the country.
But leading… Audio
Emergency Departments prepare to see an onslaught of Omicron
Emergency Departments are preparing to see an onslaught of Omicron cases, once the covid-19 variant starts spreading in the community. Emergency medicine specialist Dr John Bonning expects New Zealand… Audio
Covid-19: Daily cases in MIQ outnumber those in the community
The number of cases picked up at the border is greater than the number in the community in Aotearoa today.
Taranaki Base Hospital listed as a Covid-19 exposure event
It remains unclear whether hospital staff will be stood down, after the Ministry of Health identified the Emergency Department as an exposure event.
'We have been taken for fools': Djokovic exemption causes fury in Australia
Australians have reacted with fury and confusion after tennis star Novak Djokovic revealed he had received a travel exemption to play in the Australian Open.
Covid-19 in Australia: Tens of thousands of new daily cases
NSW has recorded 35,054 new Covid-19 cases and eight deaths, while 17,636 new cases and 11 deaths have been reported in Victoria, as pressure mounts on Australia's health systems.
Australia Update with Brad Foster
Our Australian Correspondent Brad Foster updates us on the spread of Omicron, how testing centres are coping with the demand and the impact the surge of cases has had on the hospitality sector. Audio
