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Scott Hammond / Stuff
Nelson Marlborough Health encourages anyone whose work puts them in contact with people traveling from outside of the South Island to get tested for Covid-19.
Restaurant workers, bar staff, airport workers, as well as taxi drivers and bus drivers in Nelson and Marlborough are urged to get tested for Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms, as the school vacation visitors descend on the region.
Nelson Marlborough Health said Thursday that asymptomatic testing is now being offered to people working in the hospitality, tourism and service sectors as part of efforts to ensure that the coronavirus is out of the community.
Medical Director Dr. Nick Baker said the asymptomatic testing strategy contributed to a national direction from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield.
“With the upcoming school holidays [next week] and warmer weather inspires more domestic travel and tourism, it’s a great time to ask our valuable hospitality, tourism and service workforce to take a test run, ”said Baker.
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Dr. Nick Baker, Nelson Marlborough Health Medical Director, says increased national tourism during the school holidays makes it a good time for hospitality and service workers, including cleaning staff, to get tested. .
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“The more we test, the more confidently we can say that we don’t have Covid-19 in our community. The testing of large numbers of workers sends a strong message of confidence to people looking to spend some time in our beautiful region.
“Our local residents will also have the security of knowing that we are up to date with testing and that they can book their local vacations and entertainment with confidence.”
The test was free regardless of citizenship and visa status, and individuals did not have to be enrolled in a general practice.
Those evaluated under the asymptomatic alert level 1 strategy did not have to be isolated afterwards. Results were generally available within 48 hours.
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Marlborough Taxis owner Jim Watson struggled to find out if he needed QR codes on all cars when the restrictions changed last month.
Marlborough Taxis owner Jim Watson said he had been requesting routine tests from taxi drivers since they were at level 4 lockdown alert.
“It’s as difficult as picking up someone from the airport who has flown in from Auckland and getting them back,” he said.
“I think it would be better to test taxi drivers in Auckland. But prevention is better than cure, it will be good to know for sure.”
He was waiting to hear more details from the health board on where and when to send his team of 20 for testing, he said.
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The Marina 2 Marina race is scheduled for Picton on October 10.
Cafe Cortado co-owner Jo Macdonald said she was delighted to hear about the initiative and would actively encourage her team to get tested.
“It will allow us to be certain that it is not here, that we do not have Covid.
“I think it is very important that we know what is happening, I think we need that certainty. I am quite proactive when it comes to making sure people are healthy and I wouldn’t want our business to spread Covid-19.
“I would prefer that we find out early, especially because of the positive cases they have had in Auckland. People travel through Picton and Marlborough, so with that in mind, we need to be aware. “
The Picton cafe / restaurant was beginning to reach its summer peak, so it would be valuable to know that the coronavirus had been eradicated, he said.
“We are a bottleneck here in Picton … [but] we have been lucky because we still have people and we have an incredibly positive staff. We are all trying to make the best of a bad situation. “
Destination Marlborough General Manager Jacqui Lloyd said the asymptomatic onset was a good opportunity to show that Marlborough was a safe and Covid-free destination, especially as New Zealand was approaching the school holidays.
“We encourage operators and those on the general front line that if something like this is available, then they should accept it, because it can be part of a larger message that New Zealand and Marlborough are a safe place to travel.”
Where to get tested
1. From your regular GP or iwi healthcare provider
2. At an after-hours medical facility, listed on the Nelson Marlborough Health website www.nmdhb.govt.nz/covid-19
