Frontline workers and people in MIQ tested negative as the island remain at alert Blue
Premier Tagelagi has confirmed that Niue will remain at alert level Blue which is where we have been since last year when Covid 19 was known to be within the region.
On the News of the Week radio programme this morning Premier Tagelagi said that twenty-eight frontline workers were tested this week and all returned negative tests.
The forty-five passengers on the last flight which arrived on the 9th August who are in managed isolation quarantine also tested and all returned negative results. There were two infants under 3 years old who were not tested. As a further precaution, these passengers will remain in isolation for an additional 24 hours.
At the press conference yesterday, Premier Dalton Tagelagi also confirmed that the Air NZ weekly flight will arrive on Monday next week but there will be no incoming passengers because New Zealand has gone into level 4 lockdown. The flight will bring in cargo as normal and will take passengers to Auckland but there will be no passengers allowed at this point until further notice.
According to the Premier, the situation is very much dependent on what is happening in New Zealand and Cabinet will have another update next week.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand government officials team from the ministry of health, Immigration and from Customs are on the island for a few more days. They have been working with their local counterparts over the past two weeks and have been holding meetings with different groups including the private sector. Dr. Laupepa Va’a told BCN news that they have been working with their local counterparts for nearly two years and have for the past two weeks been conducting training with them and running through scenarios as part of Covid response and preparations for the eventual two-way quarantine free travel with New Zealand.
Cabinet also decided at their meeting yesterday to update the government’s Covid 19 Emergency Response plans given the emergence of the Delta variant which is now in New Zealand. Premier Tagelagi said that he is also expecting a report from the government’s Head of Departments meeting yesterday to inform Cabinet’s decisions going forward.
In the meantime, he is urging the public to follow proper hygiene habits of frequently washing your hands, use your elbows to greet each and carry your QR cards with you to use the Rock Safe app which is located at most retail stores, the Bank, the petrol station and some government departments.
