6. Question No. 6—COVID-19 ResponseCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 6—COVID-19 Response6. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: Was the laundry worker at LSG Sky Chefs who contracted COVID-19 required to get a regular COVID-19 test and how many people handling objects associated with the border are not required to get a COVID-19 test on a regular basis?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): No. People covered by mandatory testing: that's done on the basis of their risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Handling laundry off aeroplanes with gloves and other infection and prevention and control measures is currently deemed to be low risk but as a result of recent developments we are reviewing that again. I would point out to the member that there are tens if not hundreds of thousands of people who handle objects associated with the border or that have come across the border on a daily basis.Chris Bishop: Why was the public health order mandating regular testing at the border not broad enough to encompass the sort of role this particular person was engaged in?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I indicated the compulsory testing order is based on a risk assessment. The risk assessment here are those who are likely to come into contact with people who have COVID-19 or things like baggage for example where there is a higher degree of risk. Laundry has not been regarded as a high-risk area up to this point but that is something that we've got our teams having another look at now.Chris Bishop: Why are baggage handlers subject to compulsory testing but people who are handling objects like napkins and laundry that have come off flights not subject to an order?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Up until now surfaces like napkins towels duvets and pillows have not been regarded as at high risk of surface transmission—fomite transmission—whereas some baggage is regarded as a higher risk of transmission. That is one of the things that we're having another look at now.Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern: Can the Minister confirm that the order also bases a judgment based on those employees who're required to be airside and they're more likely to be in contact with those who are transiting or travelling through international borders?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes I can confirm that.Chris Bishop: What actions have been taken if any following the Simpson-Roche report comment from September Much time has been spent by the Ministry of Health defining groups of workers required to be tested with little knowledge of the work environments"?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There's been extensive work between the Ministry of Health and all of our border agencies to understand who those most at risk are and to make sure that they are being tested regularly. Now when there are new developments either in New Zealand or internationally we do build on our body of knowledge around that. Up until 48 hours ago laundry off flights was not regarded as a high risk or anything other than a very low risk area. We are now having a very close look at whether that should continue to be the case.Chris Bishop: Just with reference to what the Minister said before is he really saying that baggage handling is more high risk than napkins and laundry from flights?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I've indicated before the advice that we've received in terms of the risk is that laundry was deemed to be a low probability a low source of fomite transmission. That's something again that we are looking very closely at. I do want to draw a distinction between those who move airside versus those who work on the New Zealand side of the border. They don't come into contact with people who have potentially got COVID-19. They do wear personal protective equipment in their work environment. And I also want to point out that we're still in the investigation process for how these three people got COVID-19 in the first place. It's very easy for everyone to be an expert without sufficient information to determine how they got it. At this point we don't know how these three people got COVID-19.Chris Bishop: Is he satisfied with the checking and auditing done by the Ministry of Health of private companies with border-facing staff to ensure testing is taking place if mandated by public health orders?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Broadly speaking yes we've had that reviewed. We did set up a panel to go in and review that and he's just quoted from the report that they gave us. We continue to look at that. We'll continue to check that periodically to make sure that the testing that's required to be happening is actually happening."