I
""'"lit\ ()J
r�v HEALTH
MANATlf HAUOlt.A
133 Molesworth Street
PO Box5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T +64 4 496 2000
13 October 2020
Mathew Hooton
By email: [FYI request #13618 email]
Ref:
H202006665
Dear Mathew Hooton
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 31 August 2020
for:
"Under the OJA, I request all advice given by the COV/0-19 Technical Advisory Group, on
or between 1 August 2020 and 1 September 2020, on the desirability or otherwise of
testing asymptomatic people for Covid-19 . "
The Ministry of Health (the Ministry) has been unable to identify any documents within scope of
your request. The COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has not provided any specific
advice to the Ministry on the testing of asymptomatic individuals for COVID-19.
However, we have identified two documents that may be of interest to you. These documents
are itemised in Appendix One and copies are attached to this letter. The documents consist of
advice by members of TAG on the testing of asymptomatic individuals. Please note, these
documents do not officially represent the opinions of TAG.
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's website.
Yours sincerely
��-
Rebecca Drew
Group Manager, Science and Insights
Covid-19 Health System Response
Appendix 1: List of documents for release
#
Date
Title
Decision on release
1
5 August 2020
Testing frequency of
Released with some information
asymptomatic border
withheld persuant to section 9(2)(f)(iv)
workers, and testing of
of the Act, to maintain the
incoming passengers on
confidentiality of advice tendered by
arrival
Ministers of the Crown and Officials.
2
20 August 2020
Day 12 PCR testing of close Released in full.
contacts
Page2 of2
