25 Jun 2021

Officials re-considering mask-wearing, scanning tracer app

From Midday Report, 12:11 pm on 25 June 2021

Health officials are re-considering their advice on mask-wearing, and scanning of the Covid tracer app. Experts say that as the virus evolves to become more transmissible, our responses must also change. They want the wider use of masks indoors, and compulsory scanning in some places, such as crowded bars. The Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the Ministry of Health will be providing updated advice to cabinet in the coming days. Meanwhile, Covid-19 modeller Rodney Jones says even though New South Wales' contact tracing is better than New Zealand's, the state is struggling to cope with the delta variant's rate of transmission. Max Towle speaks to RNZ Wellington reporter Emma Hatton who has been gauging people's reaction to the idea of mandatory scanning.