16 January, 2026, 11:55 am Central - 29°C Clouds

Alert level change 'possible' in Wellington after Australian tourist tests positive

Alert level change 'possible' in Wellington after Australian tourist tests positive

By Naveel Krishant
23/06/2021
The Director General of Health joined Breakfast after news that four close contacts had been identified in New Zealand’s capital. [Source: Breakfast]

Health authorities in New Zealand are not ruling out an alert level change in Wellington after an Australian tourist tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting the city over the weekend.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the Ministry of Health would consider if "other measures" might be needed in the capital, including mask-use and restrictions on gatherings.

He says an alert level change in the city was "possible".

TV NZ reports it comes after a recently confirmed case travelled from Sydney to Wellington and back again over the weekend.

The person arrived just after midnight on Saturday before flying back to Sydney just after 10am on Monday morning, NSW Health confirmed yesterday evening.

They subsequently tested positive in New South Wales.

Four close contacts have been identified in relation to the case's movements while in Wellington itself.

Bloomfield said the case had developed symptoms on Monday — the day they flew home — and was tested for the virus later that day.

He disclosed the case had travelled to Wellington as a tourist, so said locations of interest could include tourist sites, bars and cafés.

[Source: TVNZ]

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