Coronavirus cases, regulations and freebies: Everything you need to know

Recruiters are divided over recent changes to the Nursing Council’s registration process for healthcare workers educated outside New Zealand.
photo: Adobe Stock

As we head into winter, the coronavirus pandemic is dominating the headlines as new variants emerge and the number of cases increases.

Virus levels in wastewater reached their highest level since December 2022, according to national surveillance data for the week ending May 19. 40 people per day Hospitalized due to the disease.

Earlier this month, We studied the emergence of a group of variants called “FLiRT”. These new lineages, which originated from JN.1, account for just over 40% of all Covid viruses sequenced from water, according to the latest Environmental Science and Research (ESR) data.

Ahead of Budget 2024, let’s review what we know about Covid restrictions, vaccines, testing and more.

Mandatory Rules, Restrictions, and Freebies

Government vaccine mandates are long gone. September 2022.

The rest of the coronavirus mandates were lifted last year, meaning self-isolation after a positive test is no longer a legal requirement.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Health Te Whatu Ora announced in January that participating pharmacies and RAT collection points would provide free rapid antigen tests (RAT) for home testing until June 30. RNZ has heard from people across the country who say they are struggling to find tests. RNZ called several pharmacies: some had stock, while others were sold out.

In some cases, healthcare workers use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Results are generally more accurate than RATs, but take two to five days to come. There is no indication that these tests will not continue, as they are an important part of infection control in healthcare settings.

At this point, one might ask: Are these tests still valid? Yes, experts tell RNZPCR tests and RAT tests work differently, and PCR tests are more sensitive. But overall, it seems that the new subvariant, as well as its predecessors, can be detected using current diagnostic methods.

Medical masks are free for everyone until the end of February this year. Special P2/N95 masks are free for people at higher risk of serious illness until June 30, 2024. (Available when collecting RAT).

Antiviral medications can help reduce the amount of virus in your body, making you less sick, and are also available free of charge to people with a range of risk factors related to age, ethnicity, vaccination status and underlying health conditions.

The Covid vaccine is free for all people aged 5 and over, while extra doses or boosters are free for those over 30. (Some younger people can get extra doses, subject to meeting eligibility criteria).

What can we expect from Budget 2024?

Hopefully, some answers will be forthcoming. Right now, the country’s long-term COVID strategy is unclear.

It is not yet clear whether the supply of free RATs and masks will continue beyond the mid-year deadline. And whether the vaccine will still be free for everyone.

Initially, the costs of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments were paid for from a separate fund provided by the government. But from July 1, 2023, the budget for these costs was added to the consolidated pharmaceutical budget; the total amount is about $1.5 billion.

COVID-19 vaccines and treatments need to be prioritised now over all other medicines, medical devices, vaccines and related products being funded for New Zealanders.

While COVID-19 vaccines won’t necessarily stop someone from getting infected, they’re still a good way to prevent COVID-19. Serious illness and death.

New Zealand’s Public Health Communications Centre also called on the government to take action Long Covidwhen the effects of the virus last longer than 12 weeks.

When asked for specifics, a spokesperson for Health Minister Shane Reti’s office said only: “The government’s investment in health will be part of the 2024 budget to be announced on Thursday.”

Self-isolation rules

Te Whatu Ora still recommends that if you have symptoms of COVID-19, you get tested. If you test positive, you are advised to isolate for five days and update your My Health Record so you can easily access help and support if you need it.

What if someone in your home tests positive? If you were in the same household with an infected person for at least 8 hours while they were contagious, you are advised to stay home and do the RAT. Even if you test negative, if symptoms persist, stay home and test again after 24 and 48 hours. Quarantine if necessary.

Again, while these practices are advisory, quarantine is no longer required by law after a positive test.

However, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said employers should support employees to stay home in line with health guidance.

Notifiable Diseases

Covid remains a notifiable disease. The Ministry of Health told RNZ there were no current plans to remove it from the list of notifiable diseases, which would be updated as necessary.

The timeline helps monitor and respond to diseases that pose a public health risk. This primarily involves infectious diseases or diseases that, if they emerged in a certain area, could pose a health risk to the wider population.

Please note that this does not mean you have to upload your test results. Instead, actual and suspected cases are officially reported or communicated by healthcare professionals and medical laboratory directors.