The mariners are isolating on the ship, which is in international waters off the coast of Taranaki. The Ministry of Health regards the public health risk as low and said the mariners were not in any public places during their journey. Canterbury University Covid-19 modeller Michael Plank told Morning Report it was a "very low risk" situation. He said a five-hour drive obviously created a bit more risk than a shorter trip, but was still very low risk overall. "It's a different situation with these mariners because they're being transferred straight on to an international vessel.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 06, 2021 21:45 UTC