Rising community cases prompts national covid-19 alert level red with no lockdown
The island is currently on the highest National Covid-19 Alert Code Red because local cases exist in Niue with a high possibility of community transmission.
After health officials had confirmed the island’s first four community cases last Thursday, a further nine new cases of Covid-19 were detected in the community last Friday.
The increase in community cases prompted Acting Premier and Minister of Health Hon. Sauni Tongatule to announce that the island will be moving to alert code red.
“What this means is that we take action to mitigate or minimise the impact of the disease on our society as much as possible, without resorting to a lockdown.”
“Most activities can continue as planned similar to conditions under Alert Code YELLOW,” says Hon. Tongatule.
Minister Tongatule advises members of the public to limit their interactions and movement outside their household.
“People attending gatherings are recommended to continue wearing masks, practice social distancing and hand hygiene. In addition, we are advising that you limit your duration at these gatherings, limit the number of people in your household attending these gatherings or don’t attend if you don’t need to.”
“For gatherings that can only be held indoors, those attending should also follow the same guidelines, and the host must limit the number of people based on the ability to social distance,” says Hon. Tongatule.
All close contacts and persons-of-interest associated with the new cases, have been informed by the health department to get tested.
Anyone who has symptoms are advised to go get tested at the Drive-Thru testing station at the Niue Foou Hospital from Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm.
The Niue Public Service including all essential government services, will continue and all staff
are expected to follow their respective Covid response plans.
Health and government officials continue to remind members of the public to maintain good personal hygiene, practice social distance, stock up PPE and essential resources, stay prepared for alert level changes and keep up to date with the Niue Covid-19 website at www.covid19.gov.nu for more information.
