Adults and some teenagers will no longer receive free GP treatment for COVID-19-related illnesses

From next week, people aged 14 and over will have to pay for Covid-related GP visits.
photo: 123 RF

From next week, people aged 14 and over will have to pay for Covid-related GP visits.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health/Te Whatu Ora said this was part of a plan to manage Covid-19 in a similar way to other infectious diseases from July.

Dr Martin Hefford, director of life wellbeing at the New Zealand Ministry of Health, said some funded services would continue to be provided to help prevent and manage Covid-19 during the winter.

Vaccinations and antiviral medications remain free for those who qualify.

The government has also extended the deadline for free rapid antigen testing (RAT) to End of September.

“The COVID-19 vaccination is our first line of defense against the virus,” Hufford said.

“We encourage people to make sure everyone in their household is up to date on their COVID vaccine and all other available vaccines.”