Covid 19 coronavirus: New Zealand buys a second vaccine, mandatory mask order starting today

New Zealand bought a second Covid-19 vaccine, but again tightened border controls until the vaccines are distributed.

The news comes as a mandatory order for masks begins today, and everyone on Auckland’s public transport and on flights must cover their faces.

As of tomorrow, around 250,000 commuters using Auckland’s buses, trains and ferries every day will be legally required to wear a face cover when traveling to and from work.

Science Minister Megan Woods says New Zealand has agreed in principle to buy up to 5 million doses of a vaccine being developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica, a subsidiary of global giant Johnson & Johnson.

Up to 2 million doses would be delivered starting in the third quarter of 2021, with the option to purchase up to 3 million additional doses to be delivered in 2022.

This follows a deal announced last month to purchase 1.5 million doses of a vaccine being developed by US-based Pfizer and Germany’s BioNtech, with a delivery that “could be as early as the first quarter of 2021 “.

But at the same time, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced a tightening of controls on border workers, including:

• Testing of ship pilots and some other dockworkers performing work on affected ships weekly rather than fortnightly;

• Testing some aircraft workers who have arrived from outside New Zealand on a weekly rather than bi-weekly basis;

• Biweekly tests for dockworkers not yet covered;

• Biweekly testing for airport airside and land-side workers who are not yet covered and who interact with international passengers arriving or in transit; Y

• Require employers to facilitate testing of their employees and to maintain records of testing requirements and compliance.

An August public health order that requires periodic testing of border workers is being modified to incorporate stricter rules beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 25.

The new measures come as the Health Ministry reported three new Covid cases yesterday, all in managed isolation: one that arrived from Britain via Dubai on Saturday and another two that came from Dubai the same day.

The mandatory use of masks returns today

Auckland Transport has sent out alerts and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is urging everyone to “do their part” starting today and wear masks to bolster the country’s defenses against Covid-19.

In the latest change to public health rules announced on Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern issued a mandatory order for all commuters using Auckland public transport to be covered starting at 11:59 pm Wednesday, as the region faces a second outbreak in recent months.

No new cases were reported in the community, but health agencies are still following up on contacts for five community cases stemming from a Defense Force member who contracted the virus at the Jet Park quarantine hotel in Auckland.

The Health Ministry said officials “continue to encourage anyone visiting a place of interest during the relevant period of time to get tested.”

The government has allocated $ 66.3 million to purchase Covid-19 vaccines and prepare a vaccination program, and is negotiating the purchase of other vaccines, as well as Pfizer and Janssen products.

“This agreement is part of our portfolio approach to ensure that we have the ability to access a range of vaccine options, as long as a suitable vaccine is developed and approved,” said Woods.

“A key point of difference from the Janssen vaccine is that it is likely to be a single dose vaccine and is compatible with standard vaccine delivery channels, so it could potentially be more efficient to deliver.”

The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses, so the 1.5 million doses New Zealand is buying would immunize just 750,000 people. It also requires storage at minus 70 degrees Celsius.

Hipkins declined to comment this week on whether New Zealand’s portfolio would include a vaccine announced by the US-based Moderna, which claims to be 94.5 percent effective in preventing Covid-19.

He said there were “about 230 vaccine candidates in development … we are monitoring all of them and we are in conversation with as many of them as we can.”

“We’re making sure we have the trucks and the coolers and all the equipment ready for all the different potential vaccines, so … when they start coming in, we can start getting them out quickly,” he said.

Woods said the Health Ministry was preparing “a variety of vaccine scenarios and the best way to sequence the delivery of vaccines” considering those at risk of contracting the virus, those at risk of spreading it and those at high risk of cases. severe or death.

He said the ministry would ensure “equity of results, including the protection of Maori, Pacific peoples, and our most vulnerable population groups, such as the elderly, disabled people, health workers, essential workers, and health workers. borders”.