5. Question No. 5—HealthHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 5—Health5. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Health: Does the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan describe the conditions for moving to the Stamp It Out" phase as sustained community-level outbreaks in two or more countries overseas and a confirmed human case in New Zealand; if so have those conditions been met?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): It's important to continue to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand at the same time as our public health experts work to contain and stamp out the five confirmed cases we have had. The current version of the New Zealand pandemic plan was drafted under the previous Government and has been tested under this Government. It's a timely reminder of the importance of everyone playing their part—politicians businesses and the public—in following that plan in response to COVID-19. So in answer to the member's questions yes and yes.Hon Michael Woodhouse: When did New Zealand move to the Stamp It Out phase?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: It is not only possible but it is in fact inevitable that our response to this rapidly evolving situation will span more than one phase of the pandemic plan at a time.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Can he confirm that the Stamp It Out phase includes an action to provide customised information to overseas visitors in New Zealand and if so why are the health cards provided at airports dated August 2014?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The framework that the pandemic plan provides allows for a large number of decisions to be taken in response to specific situations in response to the first part of the member's question. In response to the second part of the member's question the advice that has been provided does pertain to symptoms of that illness and other illnesses about which the Healthline would like to hear.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has the Government considered exit assessment procedures and advice on the risk of exporting disease as set out in the Stamp It Out phase particularly given the number of Pacific visitors planning to attend the Pasifika Festival this weekend?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: We are receiving advice all the time and I'm expecting to receive more advice on that matter soon. What I would say is that New Zealand acted decisively and early to put border restrictions in place and expectations of self-isolation and that has meant that we are amongst the best-placed countries in the world in respect to COVID-19. Part of doing that was noticing and being cognisant of our concern for and desire to protect our Pacific neighbours.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Given that answer has he seen the suite of measures just announced by the Australian Federal Government including increased travel bans for Italy and what of those does the New Zealand Government consider implementing?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I will take advice from officials on the Australians' moves. Of course our advice is updated daily from the technical advisory group. The definition I'm aware is being broadened. I would also note that of course we moved ahead of Australia on restrictions around Iran and that has proven to be a good move. We are acting on the best scientific and medical advice on what doctors advise at every stage.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is the Ministry of Health preparing a specific COVID-19 plan as was advised by officials in a briefing to Opposition MPs yesterday?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Of course the pandemic plan that was drafted in 2017 under the previous Government and has been tested under the current Government continues to provide the framework absolutely—though of course at every stage we are going to tailor that advice to the situation around COVID-19. We are learning day by day new things about COVID-19 and because we've taken those stringent and early measures we are better placed to plan for the situation as it evolves.Hon Michael Woodhouse: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The Minister did not address the question of whether a specific COVID-19 plan was being prepared as was advised to members yesterday.SPEAKER: I thought he said at the beginning that the plan that had been there since 2017 was being adapted on a daily basis."