10. Question No. 10—HealthHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 10—Health10. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of Health: What involvement if any does he have in setting the criteria and the assessment of the COVID-19 alert levels and what information will the Ministry of Health use to make an assessment of whether to amend the levels?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister of Health: I as a member of Cabinet am involved in setting the criteria and assessment of the alert levels. Cabinet has agreed eight factors to use in assessing changes between alert levels including the Director-General of Health's satisfaction on four health matters which include transmission of the virus contact tracing and testing isolation and border measures and capacity of the health system. The Director-General of Health makes an assessment against these four criteria for the Minister of Health and Government to consider. This assessment is based on the latest epidemiological evidence in New Zealand and internationally data on the health service response and other available sources of information. It is also informed by independent scientific public health experts.Hon Amy Adams: What specific case information would be likely to trigger a finding that household or community transmission could be occurring as per the COVID-19 alert levels?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That is a matter that the Director-General of Health would advise the Government upon. If the member cares to put that specific question down in writing we will be able to get advice from the director-general.Hon Amy Adams: Does the Minister accept that New Zealanders are now worried about a move back up the alert levels due to recent quarantine and managed isolation breaches?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I can accept that New Zealanders remain anxious about the fact that COVID-19 is a global pandemic that is growing. There is no intention from the Government to move back up the alert levels.Hon Amy Adams: Has any of the information learnt in recent days about breaches of quarantine protocols changed the assessment of what transmission might now be occurring in terms of our alert level structure?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No and as has been already covered in the House today the fact that New Zealand does not have community transmission and there is no evidence of community transmission is something that puts us in a very privileged position compared to the rest of the world.Hon Amy Adams: Is the Minister saying that despite repeated cases of quarantine breaches and people going into the community without testing there has been no assessment done of the impact on that of possible transmission and our alert level?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No. The member is drawing a long bow from the answers that I've given. What I am saying is that we have a very robust system that involves 14 days of quarantine and isolation which the best health advice tells us is the right thing to do. On this side of the House we know the importance of border restrictions to New Zealand's success. The member might want to reflect on the comments of her colleagues who seem very keen to open the border up.