Live: 'High risk' – PM isolating after Omicron flight scare; Case should be a 'turning point' – Act
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro are both now isolating after a flight attendant on their flight from Kerikeri to Auckland tested positive for Omicron.
All those on the flight, which include Ardern's chief press secretary Andrew Campbell, are considered close contacts.
A spokesperson for the PM said Ardern took a PCR test this morning as per Ministry of Health requirements.
"She remains asymptotic and continues to feel well."
Test results are expected to be received later today/tomorrow.
Ardern and Kiro were returning from Waitangi last Saturday after filming pre-recorded speeches for Waitangi Day.
That flight has been deemed as "high risk" on the Ministry of Health's updated locations of interest list.
A statement released by the Prime Minister's office shortly after 10pm on Saturday said: "Whole genome sequencing for the case has been requested with an expected result on Sunday.
"The result is expected to indicate that the case has been infected with the Omicron variant and the public health response reflects this.
"All other passengers on board NZ8273 are also deemed close contacts and are required to self-isolate, get tested immediately and remain in isolation for 10 days following their exposure."
They will also need to follow further isolation and testing requirements provided by public health officials.
"The Prime Minister is asymptomatic and is feeling well. In line with Ministry of Health advice she will be tested immediately [on Sunday] and will isolate until Tuesday," the statement issued last night said.
"The Governor-General and members of her staff were also on board and are following the same isolation instructions.
"The Prime Minister and Governor-General were in Northland undertaking advance filming at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, at the invitation of the Waitangi National Trust for the Waitangi Day broadcast."
Since last Saturday Ardern has attended several events.
On Sunday January 23 she announced all of New Zealand would move to the red traffic light setting.
On Tuesday, she announced changes to New Zealand's mask-wearing protocol as Omicron cases rise.
On Thursday the PM also visited a vaccination centre in Lower Hutt alongside Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins and other MPs.
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-governor-general-dame-cindy-kiro-isolating-after-scare-nz-should-brace-for-cases-to-double-roughly-every-three-days/