20 Aug 2021

Covid-19 Minister looking into locations of interest delays

From Checkpoint, 5:21 pm on 20 August 2021

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told Checkpoint he will be following up with contact tracers about why there are delays getting locations of interest details onto the Ministry of Health website.

"I want the information out there as fast as possible. We'll be following up with them as to why that information hasn't been published yet, but certainly they do go through a very thorough process," he said.

He acknowledged the system is under a lot of pressure with a lot of detail to get through accurately, but is not overwhelmed.

Hipkins also said the government is converting another isolation facility to provide additional quarantine if needed. 

He would not name the facility that would be used if the Jet Park MIQ hotel in Auckland reaches capacity.   

But he said work is underway on a solution, and that a conversion can take place very quickly.  st demand is to make sure that we're shifting capacity to meet.