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HEALTH
MANATU liAUORA
133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T +64 4 496 2000
14 December 2021
Chris Johnston
By email: [FYI request #17598 email]
Ref:
H202116351
Tena 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 16 November 2021 for:
" . . .
all records on the advice, instructions or policy the Ministry of Health provides directly
or indirectly to people (hereafter referred to as "patients'J that:
a) Have had a positive test for COVID19 and
b) Are required or advised to isolate at home (eg until well or needing hospital admission).
For guidance, this request includes (in the context of the above) any of the following:
1) Standard (eg brochures, policy papers, regulations) advice, instructions, or policy given
to communicated to patients -
i.e. individual communications to patients is excluded.
2) Any advice, instructions or policy given to District Health Boards (DHBs)/medical
professionals about what medical advice or care that they should or should not provide to
patients
3) Policy about medical advice, or advice/instructions that are directive in nature and may
affect the advice/instructions of the local medical professional or the actions of the patient.
4) Both "what to do" and "what not to do" -
positive and negative
5) Drugs (prescription or over the counter), fluids, physical activity etc that might be policy
or mentioned (in a positive or negative advice or instruction).
6) Since 1 Oct 2020
inclusive.
7) Communications received by the MoH on what to communicate to patients, or DHBs.
8) How to count or record events -
eg definitions for reporting qualitatively or quantitatively
This request excludes:
i) Individual communications to patients
ii) Advice given by the patient's GP or local medical professional or DHB to the patient
iii) Any internal DHB communication"
Please note that patients who are isolating in the community are initially assessed and
supported by their local public health unit (PHU) or regional COVID-19 coordination hub. The
local providers are responsible for providing instructions and advice which is specific to each
patient's individual situation and needs.