Covid delays: up to 10-week wait on saliva tests

Covid delays: up to 10-week wait on saliva tests
A report recommended eight months ago that “all efforts should be made to introduce saliva testing as soon as possible".
Pattrick Smellie
The government is giving conflicting advice about when saliva testing of border workers will begin, telling journalists it will start next month and district health boards it may not begin until August. A six-to-10 week delay before saliva testing starts was contained in an email sent on Tuesday by Darryl Carpenter, the health ministry’s group manager for covid-19 testing and supply, to district health boards. However, Chris Hipkins, the health minister and the director-general of health, Ashley Bloomfield, told yesterday’...

More Policy

Unemployment to hit 5%, bank economists say
Economy

Unemployment to hit 5%, bank economists say

Economic activity is catching up with the labour market, says ASB economist Mark Smith.

Gregor Thompson 04 Nov 2024
NZTA board gets two more new faces
Policy

NZTA board gets two more new faces

Transport Minister Simeon Brown has appointed two new people to the New Zealand Transport Agency, making a total of six since he became minister.Professional director Mary-Anne Macleod and transport engineer Mike Rudge are the new members, appointed for three years from Nov 1.Wit...

Jem Traylen 01 Nov 2024
Peters to meet India’s foreign minister in Australia
Policy

Peters to meet India’s foreign minister in Australia

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will attend the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday before heading to Canberra to meet the foreign ministers of Australia and India.In Canberra, Peters will attend and speak at the Raisina Down Under conference alongside Penny Wong and Subrahmanyam Jaish...

Staff reporters 01 Nov 2024
Will Kāinga Ora's spend on prefabs survive reforms?
Policy

Will Kāinga Ora's spend on prefabs survive reforms?

KO's spending on prefabs rose to $144m in FY24 – about 9% of its building spend.

Cécile Meier 01 Nov 2024