New Zealand's Covid-19 vaccine rollout is three per cent ahead of schedule, except in Northland where a big push to use available vaccine is underway.
People arriving in New Zealand from Brisbane are being asked to monitor their health for the next 14 days, after a reported green zone breach at Brisbane Airport.
The incident was in the Hudson Cafe where two people from a red zone country were at the cafe at the sametime as green zone passengers.
Queensland Health authorities said the pair had been transiting from a flight from Papua New Guinea and had been inadvertently directed into the terminal's green departure zone.
"They were in the green zone for around two hours with other passengers due to depart for New Zealand," a statement said.
Papua New Guinea was last week deemed a "very high risk" country by the New Zealand Government; meaning only citizens and their immediate family can return here.
The three flights affected are NZ202 from Brisbane to Christchurch yesterday, NZ146 which landed in Auckland and Qantas flight 135 which arrived in Christchurch.
Passengers on all three flights had been informed of the potential breach and given advice about monitoring their health for the next two weeks, the ministry said.
Quarantine free travel between NewZealand and Australia begins, Auckland Airport. Photo / Michael Craig
In a statement, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) issued an apology and said the breach was "due to human error".
"At approximately 9:30am, two transit passengers arrived on a 'red' flight from Port Moresby and proceeded through screening to transit as per normal process.
BAC confirms there was a breach of the ‘green zone’ at the Brisbane Airport International Terminal today. This was due to human error, for which we unreservedly apologise. We are working with all relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances. https://t.co/pFFhg2t0NG
"An initial review of CCTV indicates that the red-zone passengers were allowed into the green zone at 9:55am, spending just under two hours there before they were found by Brisbane Airport staff and returned to the red zone.
"The passengers were seated at a retail outlet within the green zone until approximately 11.20am."
Hundreds of passengers on flights to NZ, but only handful were in the same area
The passengers had also visited the bathroom and went into another retail store before they were found by airport staff and returned to the red zone area of the terminal.
People who travelled from Brisbane to New Zealand yesterday are being urged to monitor their health after a green-zone breach at the Brisbane Airport.
BAC said all workers and passengers in the green area were wearing PPE and all areas of interest have since been thoroughly cleaned.
There were approximately 390 passengers on the flights to New Zealand, with only a handful believed to be in the same area as the red zone passengers at the same time, BAC said.
At this stage, it is believed only a handful of passengers were in the vicinity of the two passengers at any one time.
Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young said the two passengers posed a low risk to others.
"They were in the wrong zone through no fault of their own and we appreciate their patience and cooperation while we rule them out as cases.
"We're also grateful for the prompt action by Brisbane Airport staff once the mistake was identified."
Passengers who arrived from Brisbane who develop symptoms or want more information about being tested for Covid-19 can call Healthline: 0800 611 116
Reporter Herikō is at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngaa Papaonekura, where tamariki from kura all over the motu are running their hearts out in cross country races.
