8 Jan 2022

Covid-19: Two Wellington cases linked to Tauranga drum and bass festival

6:40 pm on 8 January 2022

Two new cases of Covid-19 in Wellington have been confirmed today, with a possible link to a drum and bass festival in Mount Maunganui.

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Photo: 123rf

There was no information from the Ministry of Health on case numbers today, but in a statement this afternoon it said the two cases in Wellington were linked to recent travel to the Bay of Plenty - including a possible link of one case to the music festival on 3 January at the Wharepai Domain in Mount Maunganui.

A number of locations of interest in Wellington related to the two cases - including supermarkets, pharmacies and cafes - have been published on the Ministry of Health website, with more expected tomorrow.

The Ministry said anyone who was in Tauranga for the festival was advised to get tested "as soon as possible" and to isolate at home until they received a negative result.

It said while the case was not likely to be in their infectious period while at the festival, it was asking attendees to be tested out of an abundance of caution.

"This precautionary approach is being taken due to the large number of people in attendance. We note that the festival was held in accordance with the rules for outdoor events under the Covid Protection Framework including the use of vaccine passes for entry."

One of today's cases stayed in a "large household" in the Bay of Plenty and their close contacts were being tested.

Elsewhere, the King Club on Ti Rakau Drive in Auckland and the gaming lounge of Mo's Bar in Rotorua have been listed as close contact locations of interest.

Anyone who was at the King Club between 10pm on Thursday 30 December and 2am on Friday 31 December is being asked to self-isolate, and get tested immediately.

Anyone who was in the gaming lounge of Mo's Bar between 10.15pm on Monday 3 January and 12.45am on Tuesday 4 January is also asked to self-isolate and be tested immediately.

Those who were at Mo's Bar but not in the gaming lounge are considered casual contacts and should self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms.

Other locations of interest released today include a movie screening in Albany, Auckland; Burger Fuel Fairy Springs in Rotorua; the Hidden Valley Festival in Matakana, and the BP Connect in Otaki.

The Ministry said further information would be provided at its next 1pm update tomorrow.

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