Reducing the isolation period for a positive Covid-19 case by three days is weak and comes too late, Act leader David Seymour says.
Businesses, schools and hospitals are being decimated by the self-isolation rules, David Seymour says. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
He was responding to an announcement from Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins at today's Covid-19 media briefing.
Hipkins said from Friday those who are positive and their household contacts can reduce isolation from 10 to seven days.
Household contacts will have to return two negative rapid antigen tests - on their third and seventh days of self-isolation.
Seymour said the government should be following the US advice of a five-day isolation period or the Singaporean model, 72 hours isolation and out with a negative test.
"The government needs to apologise for a month of unworkable rules that saw the outbreak grow uncontrollably to a peak while businesses, schools and hospitals were decimated," he said.
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National's deputy leader Nicola Willis said the reduction in time makes sense, but it should have been introduced sooner.
"We could have avoided some of the disruption if isolation periods had been shorter and what's clear to us is that shorter isolation periods are achievable while also ensuring we're not furthering transmission in the community so we would have liked to see this change earlier."
BusinessNZ is also welcoming the decision with chief executive Kirk Hope saying it is great the government is listening to the business community.
"All businesses, including those offering essential services, are facing difficulties in staffing their operations, and reducing the isolation time will assist them in providing a closer to normal service," he said.
Michael Barnett Photo: RNZ Pacific/Christine Rovoi
However, Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett said it does not go far enough.
"At the moment, if household contacts are so-called 'critical workers' they can daily test and if negative fulfil their employment. As far as the chamber is concerned, all businesses are essential as all employees are critical."
Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson described the move as a step in the right direction and "a small gasp of relief for businesses".
She wants even shorter self-isolation periods as the country moves to the peak of the outbreak.
Professor Michael Plank, from Te Pūnaha Matatini and the University of Canterbury, said the government's decision brings Aotearoa in line with what happened in Australia and shouldn't result in a significant increase in transmission as the majority people will no longer be infectious after this period.
He believes it would be useful for household contacts to do an extra rapid antigen test on day five or six in case they are still in the process of becoming infectious.
"It would also be helpful if non-household close contacts could be given access to RATs. Although they are not required to isolate, having access to tests would enable close contacts to check their infectious status before going out into the community.
"Of course, anyone with any Covid-like symptoms should stay at home regardless of what the test says."
