A Canterbury GP is warning that new testing guidelines issued to GPs on Tuesday will not boost the rate of people being tested every day.
Currently, around 2000 people are being tested for Covid-19 every day, but the Ministry of Health wants to double that rate.
The new rules stipulate that for some people - if they present with symptoms of Covid-19 - they will automatically be offered a swab.
That extends to those who are most at-risk of catching it - airport workers, those who have come back from abroad - as well as those most at-risk if they do catch it - the elderly, Māori, and Pacifika.
The Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, says the greater clarity will lead to an increased testing rate around the 4000 mark.
GP at Belfast North Mediqual Doctors, Dr Jeremy Baker, told RNZ reporter, Harry Lock, the new guidelines don't actually offer much new guidance for GPs.
