Phase 3 Red Traffic Light Level
Kia ora whānau
No doubt everyone will have heard about the government announcement that from 11:59pm Thursday 24th February we have entered Phase 3, Red Traffic Light conditions. Following is the relevant details about schooling and COVID matters. I quote from a Ministry of Education Bulletin sent to schools.
In Phase 3, only household contacts of confirmed cases are required to self-isolate. The isolation period will be 10 days. All other contacts of COVID-positive people are not required to isolate, but they will need to monitor for symptoms. Rapid antigen tests will become the primary testing method.
This is a decision that has been made based on public health advice – the high vaccination rate across the country will do its job in protecting us from transmission during the next surge of cases.
Attending school has many benefits for the learning and wellbeing of children and it is wonderful to see virtually all our students at school. We have very good systems in place to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Since we are still at Red under the COVID-19 Protection Framework, the most effective measures to reduce spread of COVID-19 remain in place: vigilance about symptoms, staying away from school if one is unwell and maintaining high hygiene standards – these continue to be a priority.
Moving to Phase 3 means only household contacts of a case must isolate. All other contacts should continue to monitor for symptoms. If any arise, they should stay home from school and get a test. Confirmed cases are now asked to undertake their own investigation to identify close contacts. As such – staff, students, parents and caregivers should notify our school if they or their child was positive while at school.
Isolation period for confirmed cases and household contacts
A case will need to isolate at home for 10 days, as will anyone else in the household.
Rapid antigen tests will now be available as a diagnostic tool
There will be a lot more rapid antigen tests (RATs) used at Phase 3. There will be a list on the COVID website of places these will be available to be picked up from.
PCR testing will be prioritised for people who are unwell and people who are more susceptible. For example, this will include those in hospital or who are immunocompromised or pregnant – people for whom it is very important to have a clinical diagnosis. It will also continue to be used for border testing.
Anyone who tests positive with a RAT test will need to self-report their positive result and then isolate for 10 days. There is no longer a need to follow up with a PCR test to confirm that result.
Contact management
Cases will now receive a text notification advising they have COVID-19. The text will outline what the case and their household need to do.
Many thanks for your on-going support and understanding. Please take care during these unprecedented times.
Tim