Nine To Noon for Wednesday 12 August 2020

 

09:05 Authorities race to identify mystery Covid-19 infection

As Auckland heads back to alert level 3  and the rest of country into level 2, a top epidemiologist says he fears the government hasn't made the best use of alert level 1. Four cases of community transmission of Covid-19 from the same family have been confirmed. The area for level 3 is the Auckland Super City boundaries (Wellsford in the north to Pukekohe in the south). Otago University epidemiologist Professor Nick Wilson says the current state of digital contact tracing is disappointing.

09:15 Virus modeler: NZ's Covid strategy is up to the task

Rodney Jones is a economist with Wigram Capital Advisors who's been tracking the virus since it first broke out in China. He's long warned New Zealand's freedoms could be curtailed again by Covid. So what does the modelling for this latest outbreak tell him?

09.30 GPs prepare for higher volumes of covid testing

As well as community testing stations, GP clinics and surgeries are preparing for higher volumes of testing for Covid 19. Kathryn talks with Warkworth GP and Chair of the NZ Medical Association Dr Kate Baddock.

09.35 Back to Level 3 - impact on Auckland's economy

Auckland businesses are bracing for another hit as the region moves into Level 3 this morning. The restrictions mean only essential services can remain open - and scientists are warning that the region may have to stay in Level 3 longer than the three days indicated by the Government. What does that mean for the region and the country's fragile economy?  Kathryn speaks with David Norman,  Chief Economist for Auckland Council and Michael Barnett, CEO of   the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

09:45 Schools appeal for children to stay at home

With schools across the Auckland region closed for at least three days, teachers and principals are appealing to families to keep their children at home unless absolutely necessary. Stephen Lethbridge is the President of the Auckland Primary Principals' Association and  principal of Point Chevalier Primary School.

09:55 Queues at community testing stations

Queues are forming at covid testing centres in Auckland. Two pop-up covid testing centres opened a short time ago.One in Otara Town Centre carpark, the second at Health New Lynn. Auckland also has four community testing centres for covid 19 in College Road Northcote, Eden Terrace off New North Road, Whanau House in Henderson and the Whanau Ora Community Clinic in Wiri. RNZ reporter Jordan Bond from the Eden Terrace testing station

10:05 Resthomes go into strict lockdown

Resthomes across the country are moving into an three-day lockdown effective immediately. Simon Wallace is the Chief Executive of the Aged Care association.

10:15 Cultural inclusivity on and off the field 

Moves are underway in some sporting codes to ensure the cultural mix of athletes on teams will be reflected in other roles, including management and coaching. Former All Black centre Saveatama Eroni Clarke was recently appointed New Zealand Rugby's first Pasifika Engagement Manager. The role partially came out of the Respect and Responsibility Review in 2017, which highlighted issues around player welfare and participation numbers in the game.

10:25 Aviation sector responds to new alert levels

NZ Aviation Coalition Co-chair Justin Tighe-Umbers and Adrian Littlewood CEO Auckland Airport join Kathryn Ryan.

10:45  LIVE: Covid 19 briefing

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield give an update on the Covid 19 situation.

11:25 Jane Patterson - Covid update

RNZ political editor Jane Patterson discusses the decision to defer the dissolution of parliament, and the possibility of the election being impacted by the outbreak of Covid in the community.

11:35 Funerals and tangi restricted to 10 from midday

Kathryn talks with the President of the Funeral Directors' Association, Gary Taylor.

11:45 Siouxsie Wiles on genome testing for Covid

Science commentator Professor Siouxsie Wiles, head of Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland, discusses genome testing for covid and the possibility that the virus came into the country on surfaces.