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Wearing the mask will become mandatory on public transport in Auckland and on all flights, as Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins warns that there may be further cases of Covid-19 in the area.
But experts say the rule should be broadened to include all centers, while Auckland and Wellington, which have active cases, should move to level 1.5.
Hipkins plans to curb the spread of the virus in Auckland, announced on Friday, includes a public health order for Auckland.
On Monday it will be taken to the locker for approval and will make the use of the mask mandatory in the city.
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Lawrence Smith / Stuff
Auckland commuters wait for a bus wearing a mask.
“We ask everyone who uses public transport in Auckland to continue wearing a mask,” Hipkins said.
“We don’t know how many cases there might be out there, so we have to continue to act very carefully.”
It also encouraged people to use masks in public spaces where social distancing was not possible, for example at large public events.
But it wasn’t just Auckland who needed to be cautious, said Shaun Hendy, physicist and disease modeler. “Especially those [centres] which have positive cases.
“We have to be more cautious. It would be nice to see everyone wearing masks on public transport. “
LAWRENCE SMITH / Stuff
People line up at the Covid-19 pop-up test station on Auckland’s High St after the latest community case.
His comments were backed by Otago University epidemiologist Dr. Amanda Kvalsvig, who called for masks to become a part of daily life across the country.
“The time for the gradual and piecemeal approval of the masks has passed. Using the mask should be a part of our daily life everywhere in New Zealand, not just reactively when there is an epidemic, “he said.
“Otherwise we are all at risk from the next outbreak that we don’t know about yet.”
But Michael Baker and Nick Baker, epidemiologists at the University of Otago, went further.
They said Auckland and Wellington are expected to move to level 1.5, a concept proposed for several months for regions experiencing an epidemic.
He would see wearing the mask on public transport, in health care facilities and assistance facilities. Other aspects could include disrupting travel in and out of regions affected by an outbreak.
“I think we need a well-defined level 1.5 situation that applies in high transmission risk situations like we currently have in Auckland and probably Wellington as well,” Baker said.
“This level may include a requirement for mandatory use of the mask indoors with doors such as public transport and airplanes, as well as some indoor locations.
“There may also be a requirement for mandatory scanning in some indoor locations. Having this level would make it much clearer what we need to do in these increased risk situations.”
Wilson echoed the calls and said wearing the mask was even more necessary when people return from countries with high rates of infection.
“The masks protect other people and the user,” he said.
“There have been eight border failures since the beginning of August.”
What’s this asked the Ministry of Health why Wellington was not included in the mandatory masking rule and whether a move to level 1.5 was possible.
But a spokesperson referred to the minister’s previous comments, where she said the risk was not high enough to trigger a higher alert level.
“But we’re asking people to take extra precautionary measures like wearing masks on public transport and large public events, and to be vigilant in tracking their contacts,” he said.
Wellington has two cases: Case B and Case C, who dined in Little Penang on The Terrace last Friday. They are linked to Case A, an armed forces worker who contracted the virus at Jet Park, a quarantine facility in Auckland.
Anyone at the restaurant between 1pm and 4pm who has symptoms of Covid-19 is invited to take the test.
Meanwhile, four new cases of the virus were reported on Friday, all in managed isolation.
One was a recent arrival from the Philippines and the other three were historical cases that have been classified as cured.
Hipkins also begged companies to allow employees to stay home if they are sick.
There was government support in place for people who did not have access to sick leave, he added.
“It is in our best interest that our CBD and our businesses remain open,” he said. “We must all act to protect ourselves and others.”
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