133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
11 August 2020
Donna McMillan
By email:
[FYI request #13405 email]
Ref:
H202005548
Dear Donna McMillan
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health (the Ministry) on 28 July 2020 for:
“1. I would like to request the total number Active Covid-19 cases involving foreign citizens
currently in DHBs or private hospitals.
Are any of the active cases foreign crew off commercial ships docked in NZ Ports? If so
what is their country of origin or last country before return.
If there are active cases in NZ hospitals, why are these cases not reflected in the number
of cases in hospital - currently zero on the Ministry website. Or are these cases reflected
elsewhere? If so please direct me to the site.
What is the current procedure for crew on foreign vessels in NZ waters that dock here?
Are they tested, and if so how many have tested positive. Who pays for their medical
care?
2. Have any Air NZ pilots of staff tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two months.”
Information in response to each part of your request is as follows.
“I would like to request the total number Active Covid-19 cases involving foreign citizens
currently in DHBs or private hospitals.”
As of 29 July 2020, there are zero active cases in the district health boards (DHBs) and private
hospitals.
“Are any of the active cases foreign crew off commercial ships docked in NZ Ports? If so what is
their country of origin or last country before return.”
As of 29 July 2020, zero of the active cases are of foreign crew from commercial vessels
docked in New Zealand ports.
“If there are active cases in NZ hospitals, why are these cases not reflected in the number of
cases in hospital - currently zero on the Ministry website. Or are these cases reflected
elsewhere? If so please direct me to the site.”
As noted above, there are zero active cases in the DHBs which is reflected correctly on the
Ministry website: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-
coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-current-cases.
Please be advised, the active cases in New Zealand are in the managed isolation and
quarantine facilities. Not every confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 goes to hospital.
“What is the current procedure for crew on foreign vessels in NZ waters that dock here? Are
they tested, and if so how many have tested positive. Who pays for their medical care?”
This information is not held by the Ministry or another agency subject to the Act. For this reason,
this part of your request is refused under section 18(g) of the Act.
For your reference, the current procedures for crew on foreign vessels in New Zealand waters
that dock is detailed on the Ministry’s website under the COVID-19 maritime section:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-
19-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-resources-border-sector/covid-19-maritime-
sector#process.
Isolation and quarantine processes at the maritime border is outlined in a guidance document
which is also available on the Ministry website:
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/maritime_processes_to_support_the_
order_17july20.pdf. There are several procedures detailed in this document for different
situations foreign vessel crew may be in. Please be advised, this is a live document which is
regularly updated.
“Have any Air NZ pilots of staff tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two months.”
As of 29 July 2020, zero Air New Zealand pilots have tested positive for COVID-19.
I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to
ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website.
Yours sincerely
Jane Kelley
Director
COVID-19 Health System Response
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