January 25 2022
PM Jacinda Ardern said Cabinet has decided to update mask mandates as Omicron cases in the community increase. Masks must now be worn at businesses which serve food and drink, the PM said.
More locations of interest around Auckland have been identified as being "high risk" after being linked to the highly transmissible Omicron Covid variant.
1pm update
- Private event at Pukekohe Indian Community Centre: Sunday, January 16, 6.45pm-10.45pm
- Life Pharmacy Motueka: Thursday, January 20, 1.40pm-2.10pm
A private event at thePukekohe Indian Community Hall is now confirmed to be linked to a person with Omicron.
The venue, owned by the Pukekohe Indian Association, is a popular site for large-scale weddings, birthdays, conferences and other celebrations within the local community.
Those who attended the event - understood to be a wedding reception - are being urged to self-isolate immediately and get a Covid test.
The Pukekohe Indian Hall is a popular place for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations. Image / Google
People affected will also have to get a test five days after they were potentially exposed to the case.
The latest update from the Ministry of Health has also named a chemist in Motueka on its locations list.
Life Pharmacy Motueka was visited by a person with Covid last week on Thursday, January 20, between 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
It is not yet known whether the infected person who was there during that time has tested positive for the Delta or Omicron strain.
Midday update
- Bus 133 Henderson (Stop 5112) to City Centre: January 17 (Mon) 8.15am-8.45am
- Bus 195 New Lynn to Vulcan Lane City Centre (Stop 7049): January 17 (Mon) 8.45am-9.15am
- Bus 917 Glenfield Mall [Stop 3881] to Albany Mall (Stop 4260): January 19 (Wed) 10.05am-10.35am
Three bus rides in Auckland are now officially linked to people with Omicron.
At least one person with the highly infectious variant travelled on bus 195 New Lynn to Vulcan Lane, in the city centre (Stop 7049) last week on Monday, January 17.
The affected time is between 8.45am and 9.15am.
The second bus ride connected to an Omicron case was Bus 133 Henderson (Stop 5112) to the city centre on the same day (Monday, January 17) between 8.15am and 8.45am.
The last bus trip now confirmed to be an Omicron exposure site was Bus 917 Glenfield Mall (Stop 3881) to Albany Mall (Stop 4260) last Wednesday, January 19, between 10.05am and 10.35am.
Earlier this morning, the health ministry confirmed another Auckland bus route was also an Omicron exposure event.
Anyone who travelled on Bus 917 - Glenfield Mall (Stop 3881) to Albany Mall (Stop 4260), on Thursday last week between 10.05am and 10.35am is considered a close contact of an Omicron case.
Health officials are asking those people to self-isolate, get tested immediately and then again on day 5 after potential exposure.
Two Hamilton supermarkets were also added to the growing list.
Shoppers who were at Pak'nSave Clarence St on Thursday last week between 1.15pm and 2.15pm are asked to self-monitor for symptoms, as are shoppers who were at Countdown Dinsdale the following day between 12.45pm and 1.45pm.
"If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result."
Thirsty Liquor Papakura, on O'Shannessey St, is connected to an Omicron case. Image / Google
Thirsty Liquor in Papakura and Chartwell Bakery in Manukau, which were added to the list yesterday, have been recategorised today to be linked to an Omicron case and suspected Omicron case, respectively.
This morning an Auckland cinema became a high-risk Covid location of interest.
People who went to The Vic in Devonport on Thursday, January 20, between 7.50pm and 10.10pm need to self-isolate, get tested immediately and again on day 5 following their potential exposure.
Chartwell Bakery on Sharkey St, Manukau, is linked to a suspected Omicron case. Image / Google
The Ministry of Health's advisory this morning comes after a community hall and an amusement park were visited by Omicron-infected people over the weekend.
Last night a restaurant in Papatoetoe and a community hall in Pukekohe were identified as locations linked to our Omicron outbreak.
Anyone who visited the Shivani Restaurant in Papatoetoe between 12pm-1pm on Sunday January 16, is being asked to isolate, get tested immediately and again on day 5 following their potential exposure.
Meanwhile, Rainbow's End was identified as a location of interest after the Motueka cases visited the amusement park on January 16 between 1pm and 3.30pm.
The theme park is still open under the red traffic light setting. Photo / File
These cases also attended a wedding, a funeral and the Sky Tower - events which had well over 100 people in attendance.
At least one person who attended the family wedding had visited Tarka Indian Eatery in Mission Bay, a new location of interest published yesterday.
Auckland Rose Park Hotel in Parnell was also identified as a high-risk exposure site.
Anyone who was at the hotel from 12am Friday, January 14, to 12.30pm Saturday, January 15, is being asked to isolate, test immediately and again on day 5.
The same goes for anyone who visited it from 4.30pm Saturday, January 15, to 10am Sunday, January 16.
