Photo: ODT filesExperts assure the risk of those returning to New Zealand on "green flights" this week bringing the Covid-19 virus with them remains "very low" despite 11 community cases reported in Melbourne yesterday. Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said last week the risk of those returning — who also would be tested on arrival — bringing Covid-19 was "very low". Despite yesterday’s cases and concerns of the new more infectious Delta variant rising, epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker said the risk continued to be "very low". "There would always be a low risk of anyone bringing the virus back with them at the current rate of infection there, but with the lockdown and needing a test there and when they get back I think absolutely the risk remains very low." There will be two flights a day between Melbourne and Auckland from tomorrow, and daily flights from Melbourne to Queenstown, Wellington and Christchurch from Friday.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 07, 2021 16:30 UTC