4. Question No. 4—HealthHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 4—Health4. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement in relation to the coronavirus outbreak that New Zealand has amongst the toughest restrictions in the world"; if so how is he defining "toughest"?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Yes—for example New Zealand was one of the first countries to impose travel restrictions on Iran acting ahead of Australia and the United States while the United Kingdom and Canada still have no COVID-19 - related travel restrictions. That is what I mean by being among the toughest restrictions in the world: taking early action based on good scientific and health advice in response to a rapidly evolving situation.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is he aware that Australia imposed a travel ban on non-Australians from South Korea and advanced screening measures for travellers from Italy five days ago and do we have the same measures?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: New Zealand acted swiftly in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in South Korea. On Monday 2 March we began registering all arrivals from South Korea for self-isolation. That action came three days before Australia introduced its restrictions and I'm advised it continues to be an appropriate way to manage the risk of COVID-19 arriving here from South Korea. It may interest the member also to know that inbound travel from South Korea has dropped dramatically.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has he received correspondence from passengers arriving into Auckland Airport criticising the lack of screening compared to other airports they've been to and if not would he like to see some of mine?Marja Lubeck: Oh nobody wants to see yours.SPEAKER: Order!Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Health staff are now meeting all flights. We have health information being provided to everyone entering the country. All airlines have been asked to make a health announcement upon landing and we are registering people who require self-isolation at the border. Our Health staff and Customs staff are doing good work at the border to keep the public safe.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is it the case that an infected passenger was able to arrive from Iran and go through Auckland Airport visibly ill and not stopped in a country with the "toughest restrictions in the world"?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: In respect of the individual's circumstances I think the member knows that the matter is a little more complex than that. He has been in receipt of briefings.David Seymour: I seek the leave of the House to be counted as present in Parliament regardless of location for all of next week because if I can't rely on you to stand up for my rights as an MP there's very little point in being here.SPEAKER: Order! The member has the right to seek leave if he so wishes. Is there any objection?Hon Members: Yes.David Seymour: Oh you want me here?Hon Members: Always.SPEAKER: Well members shouldn't mislead the House.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Can he confirm that a passenger arriving from a country with confirmed coronavirus cases and having been on a cruise was not screened at Auckland Airport despite notifying staff on her flight that she was unwell?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Again I think the member knows that the matter is a little more complex than that. At the time that individual was first treated there were no reports of COVID-19 on the cruise ship she had been on. Standing down staff at the hospital has been taken as a precautionary measure based on best clinical practice and North Shore Hospital has told us there's no impact on clinical care and they continue to provide services as usual. I think if the member—well what I would say is that the member has been in receipt of briefings from the Director-General of Health and myself and last week the member asked me what support if any the Opposition can provide to help New Zealanders. I replied saying that I saw a constructive role for the Opposition to play to ensure New Zealanders receive messages that are based on the best scientific and medical advice—and I look forward to that happening if the member wants to continue to have a constructive working relationship on this issue.Hon Michael Woodhouse: So will he support my call for an urgent inquiry into the circumstances that led to a probable coronavirus patient being in North Shore Hospital for five days without being identified as such despite what he describes as measures amongst the toughest in the world?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: At the time that individual was first treated at North Shore Hospital there were no reports of COVID-19 on the cruise ship she had been on. I'm assured that all appropriate public health measures including contact tracing are being taken in the circumstances. We have continued with a precautionary approach and are continually being updated with the best scientific and medical advice. The case definition has been broadened to emphasise the importance of clinicians using their clinical judgment and that is something the member is aware of."