133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
10 January 2022
Chris Auld
By email: [FYI request #17435 email]
Ref:
H202115435
Tēnā koe Chris
Response to your request for official information Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health (the Ministry) on 3 November 2021 for:
“1. All documentation relating to the processes and procedures for managing persons
isolated at home under the ‘Overseas Arrivals At Home MIQ trial’ currently
underway. Please ensure this includes, but is not limited to, the documentation of
processes and procedures for;
a.
The assessment of individual risk-factors for compliance with the requirements
of at home isolation. Please ensure that you include details as to whether
assessment inquires as to criminal convictions or membership of a gang (as
gang is defined in s2 of the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government
Premises Act 2013)
b.
Testing for Covid-19 including how samples are to be collected.
c.
Monitoring for health symptoms including any diagnostic instruments such as
thermometers provided to isolated persons.
d.
Monitoring for ‘stay home’ compliance including any technology used to
support this.
e.
Monitoring for ‘no visitors’ compliance including any technology used to
support this
f.
Procedures to be followed if an isolated person tests positive for Covid-19
including how they are evaluated against the criteria for quarantining at home
as a positive case.
2.
All documentation relating to the processes and procedures for persons who have
tested positive for Covid-19 and who are quarantined at home.
Please ensure this includes, but is not limited to, the documentation of processes
and procedures for;
a.
How individuals The assessment of individual and/or group risk-factors for
compliance with at home quarantine. Please ensure that you include details
as to whether assessment inquires as to criminal convictions or membership
of a gang (as gang is defined in s2 of the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in
Government Premises Act 2013)
b.
Determining whether an individual or group is to be quarantined qualifies for at
home quarantine or will be moved to an MIQ facility
c.
Testing for Covid-19 including how samples are to be collected.
d.
Monitoring for health symptoms including any diagnostic instruments such as
thermometers provided to isolated persons.
e.
Monitoring for ‘stay home’ compliance including any technology used to
support this.
f.
Monitoring for ‘no visitors’ compliance including any technology used to
support this
g.
Determining that an individual or group is to be moved to an MIQ facility based
on any change in health status or non-compliance with the requirements of at
home quarantine”
I have been advised that parts 1a, 1d, and 1e of your request are held by the Ministry of
Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). I understand that you have also directed your
request to MBIE. Please refer to their response for information regarding these parts of your
request.
Furthermore, I have been advised that parts 2a, 2b, 2d, 2e, and 2f of your request are managed
at the district health board (DHB)/public health unit (PHU) level. This information is held by the
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) and the Northern Region Health
Coordination Centre (NRHCC). I understand that you have also directed your request to the
Auckland DHBs. The DHBs have advised that Auckland DHB will respond with information held
by ARPHS and NRHCC. Please refer to their response for information regarding these parts of
your request.
I will respond to the remaining parts of your request in turn.
1.
All documentation relating to the processes and procedures for managing persons
isolated at home under the ‘Overseas Arrivals At Home MIQ trial’ currently
underway. Please ensure this includes, but is not limited to, the documentation of
processes and procedures for;
b. Testing for Covid-19 including how samples are to be collected.
c. Monitoring for health symptoms including any diagnostic instruments such as
thermometers provided to isolated persons.
f. Procedures to be followed if an isolated person tests positive for Covid-19
including how they are evaluated against the criteria for quarantining at home as a
positive case.
Information within scope of this part of your request is itemised in Appendix 1 of this letter and
copies of the documents are enclosed. The table in Appendix 1 outlines the grounds under
which I have decided to withhold information. Where information is withheld, this is noted in the
document itself.
Please note that MBIE is the lead agency for the self-isolation trial and as such the majority of
information regarding your request will be supplied by MBIE.
2.
All documentation relating to the processes and procedures for persons who have
tested positive for Covid-19 and who are quarantined at home.
Please ensure this includes, but is not limited to, the documentation of processes
and procedures for;
c.
Testing for Covid-19 including how samples are to be collected.
g.
Determining that an individual or group is to be moved to an MIQ facility based
on any change in health status or non-compliance with the requirements of at
home quarantine
The information you have requested is covered by the
Managing COVID-19 Care in the
Community operating framework. This is published on our website
: www.health.govt.nz/our-
work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-health-
professionals/caring-people-covid-19-community. Please note that individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating at home
will not be tested again as the test is a diagnostic tool. Information on when individuals are
permitted to leave home isolation is available under “Case Isolation Requirements” at:
Page 2 of 4
www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-
information-health-professionals/case-definition-and-clinical-testing-guidelines-covid-19. Please note also that the Ministry does not have a standard protocol for when a person who is
self-isolating is suspected to have breached the conditions of home isolation. Each case
managed in the community is different, and the solution to non-compliance varies accordingly.
Risk will determine the specific escalation pathway.
I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to
ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may
be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests. Nāku noa, nā
Shona Meyrick
Group Manager, COVID-19 Border and Managed Isolation
COVID-19 Health System Response
Page 3 of 4
Appendix 1: Documentation relating to processes and procedures for the MBIE Self-
Isolation Pilot
#
Date
Title
Decision on release
1
NA
Self-Isolation Pilot: Standard
Released with some
Operating Procedure
information withheld under
section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to
2
Self-Isolation Pilot: Standard
protect the privacy of natural
Operating Procedure (for Healthline) persons.
3
Daily Health Check Survey
Released in full.
Questions
4
28 November
Email: Testing Instructions and
Released with some
2021
Information during isolation for
information withheld under
AUCKLAND participants
section 9(2)(a).
5
4 November
Attachment: LolliSponge –
Released in full.
2021
instructions 4 Nov
6
28 November
Email: Testing Instructions and
Released with some
2021
Information during isolation for
information withheld under
CHRISTCHURCH participants
section 9(2)(a).
7
NA
Self-isolation project: Instructions for
saliva collection
Page 4 of 4
