A Northern Express bus driver has been confirmed to be infected with Covid-19.
Photo: 123RF
Auckland Transport has confirmed there were 319 passengers who travelled on this service across the two days between Hibiscus Coast/Albany and Auckland city centre.
The case is linked to the current Auckland cluster.
In a statement, Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) said the driver was not symptomatic and wore a mask while on shift.
It also said there were no close contacts on the trips the driver took on 3 September and 4 September, between 5.30am and 1pm, and 4pm and 6.15pm.
ARPHS said passengers did not interact with the driver, were seated 2m away, and used the rear door to board and exit the bus. There were also no cash transactions and passengers used AT HOP cards.
Auckland Transport said its buses were thoroughly cleaned every evening.
Staff who drove the bus after the case have been asked to be tested and CCTV footage of the bus depot is being reviewed to check if any other staff members are close contacts.
ARPHS said anyone who was on the bus at those times was considered to be a casual contact, and at low risk of developing the virus. They do not have to self-isolate, but they should get tested if they develop symptoms of Covid-19.
The case emphasised the importance of public transport users scanning the QR codes as well as swiping and registering AT HOP cards to keep a record of who may have been exposed and alerting them, ARPHS said.
Anyone who has shown these symptoms, or who develops them, should phone Healthline for advice (0800 358 5453) and arrange to get tested.
If you think you may have travelled on the affected bus service, you can use your registered AT HOP card to check your transaction history via the AT Mobile app or online at at.govt.nz or by calling the Auckland Transport call centre 6am and 9pm on 09 366 4467.
Public health advice is also to wear a mask at all times on public transport, when out in public or sharing confined spaces with others.
- If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre
Bus journey details (from the ARPHS website):
Thursday 3 September
- 05:40 - Albany Station To -Britomart (Lower Albert St) (05:40 - 06:06)
- 06:15 -Britomart (Lower Albert St) To Hibiscus Coast Station (06:15 - 06:59)
- 07:15 - Hibiscus Coast Station To -Britomart (Lower Albert) AM Peak (07:15 - 08:00)
- 08:42 - Hibiscus Coast Station To -Britomart (Lower Albert) AM Peak (08:42 - 09:26)
- 11:05 - Hibiscus Coast Station To -Britomart (Lower Albert St) (11:05 - 11:48)
- 11:55 - Britomart (Lower Albert St) To Albany Station (11:55 - 12:24)
- 12:30 - Albany Station To -Britomart (Lower Albert St) (12:30 - 12:58)
- 16:04 - Britomart (Lower Albert St) To Albany Stn (16:04 - 16:36)
- 16:43 - Albany Station To -Britomart (Lower Albert St) (16:43 - 17:15)
- 17:37 - Britomart (Lower Albert St) To Albany Stn (17:37 - 18:13)
Due to city centre capital works, the Britomart (Lower Albert St) collection point for the NX service is on Customs Street.
Friday 4 September
- 05:40 - Albany Station To *Britomart (Lower Albert St) (05:40 - 06:06)
- 06:15 - *Britomart (Lower Albert St) To Hibiscus Coast Station (06:15 - 06:59)
- 07:15 - Hibiscus Coast Station To *Britomart (Lower Albert) AM Peak (07:15 - 08:00)
- 08:42 - Hibiscus Coast Station To *Britomart (Lower Albert) AM Peak (08:42 - 09:26)
- 11:05 - Hibiscus Coast Station To *Britomart (Lower Albert St) (11:05 - 11:48)
- 11:55 - *Britomart (Lower Albert St) To Albany Station (11:55 - 12:24)
- 12:30 - Albany Station To *Britomart (Lower Albert St) (12:30 - 12:58)
- 16:04 - *Britomart (Lower Albert St) To Albany Stn (16:04 - 16:36)
- 16:43 - Albany Station To *Britomart (Lower Albert St) (16:43 - 17:15)
- 17:37 - *Britomart (Lower Albert St) To Albany Stn (17:37 - 18:13)
* Due to city centre capital works, the Britomart (Lower Albert St) collection point for the NX service is on Customs Street.
