Kia ora, greetings, everybody, welcome to Friday’s press conference, day four of Level three and first I will handover to the Director of public health, Caroline Mayne. >> Today we have three new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report. One case is linked to overseas travel, won Islington to a known case and still being investigated, and one is still under investigation — one is linked. This means our total confirmed cases is one 1232 and total probable cases, 337 and that rings our total four confirmed and probable cases to 1479. 237. There’s no more deaths. Yesterday laboratories completed 1800 tests are bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 1000 9898. We have 1252 cases that are reported as having recovered from Covid-19, which is an increase of 11 from yesterday.And so 18 5% of all our confirmed and probable cases are considered to have recovered. There are six people in hospital today, and none of those six are in intensive care. There are still 16 significant clusters. One has had no cases notified in 28 day period, and that is considered to be closed. We expect to close another cluster tomorrow, and we have a further six clusters where the last case was reported tween 14 and 28 days ago, so we expect to be able to close those off in the next few days — between. I just want to talk about the press release which was issued earlier today. The district health board early this morning issued a media statement on three staff members who have tested positive for Covid-19. One of those was tested and was positive at the weekend, one was included in yesterday’s tally and one is included into day’s account. The staff had worked on a ward where patients from St Margaret’s and Whetstone were transferred due to staffing shortages at that facility. I’ve spoken to dock Doctor Andrew Browne and he’s assured me they have taken all appropriate actions to minimise any potential risks to patients and staff.The source of staff contracting Covid-19 remains under investigation. Full PPE was available and worn by staff at all times in the area where the Saint Margaret ‘s agents have been cared for. A review is in progress to understand how and where the infection may have occurred — patients. Thank you >> I want to cover three things today around enforcement, the Winter energy payment and the small business cash flow loan scheme. Firstly on enforcement, an update on our ongoing enforcement under level three rules. It is paramount we do not lose our hard won health gains as we look to reboot our economy. Today I can update you that there have been a total of 281 reaches of the CDM under level three, an increase of 96 in the past 24 hours. Of those 281, 77 people have been prosecuted, an increase of 31 in the past 24 hours. 180 warnings have been issued, an increase of 61 in the past 24 hours, and there have been 24 youth referrals, an increase of four in the past 24 hours.There have been 2060 through a police assurance patrols in the past 24 days, alongside 2790 crime prevention patrols in neighbourhoods and business districts stop the increases in these numbers are an indication that the police are stepping up their enforcement response and this will continue over the weekend. I want to make clear that most New Zealanders are indeed doing the right thing, and this is actually reflected in the number of people calling out those doing the wrong thing. There have been a total of 2101 reports from members of the public at level three, 991 of those about businesses and 785 about individuals, 325 about mass gatherings. These are being followed up. As we head into the weekend, there is a particular example I want to highlight. As part of these reports by members of the public, there’s been an increase in reports about parties at residential addresses that clearly include people beyond that person’s double. I have two clear messages for anyone considering that ? first, cancel your plans now. Secondly, be aware that the police will be particularly taking a dim view of this activity as part of their Level three enforcement activity this weekend. We know that events where there have been gatherings such as parties have been at the root of a number of our clusters.The virus has proven it will spread easily at events like this. Any uptick in cases as a result of parties will mean we have to stay in level three longer, so please, don’t be an idiot, stick to your bubble and everyone will be better off. I want to mention the winter energy payment today. From today, this payment runs for four months, as it has since 2018. For this year, the government has doubled the 2020 winter energy payment to support our older and lower income New Zealand residents.This year it is $1400 for couples and $900 for a single person. People will see this additional money in their next payment from SMD. There’s two reasons we made the decision to double the payment stop the add a time when we are asking people to stay at home in their bubbles and keep well, our role is to provide support for our most vulnerable to stay warm and healthy and reduce any unnecessary burden on health services. We also know those on lower incomes are also more likely to spend that extra income on basic household need, so we know this doubling of the winter energy payment will provide an immediate stimulus to local economies across the country as we are rebooting the economy.Today we are also announcing further measures as part of our significant support package for businesses to boost cash flow and protect jobs and incomes. To date, the government has acted quickly to put in place business support, such as the $10.5 billion wage subsidy, the large package of business tax support and the business Finance guarantee scheme that we’re delivering in partnership with Banks. We’ve also making sure the support gets out the door to the business workers and economy as soon as possible and indeed faster than in many other countries. Today we are adding to that. We’ve announced the government will provide interest-free loans for a year to small and medium-sized businesses impacted by Covid-19 to support their immediate cash flow needs and meet fixed costs.Businesses with 50 or fewer employees will be able to apply to the Inland Revenue department for loans from the 12th of May. There’s a 100% government… This is a 100% government lending scheme to support our SMEs. We are backing these businesses because we know how important they are to our economy. We also know our small and medium enterprises have not been able to access the support they need from other sources. The scheme will provide $10,000 to every firm and in addition, $1800 per equivalent full-time employee. The scheme has a maximum term of five years. Repayments of principal and interest are not required for the first two years. The interest rate will be 3%, but as noted, the loans will be interest-free if they paid back within a year. The eligibility criteria are the same as for the wage subsidy scheme, but businesses will also have to declare they are a viable business and they will use the money for core business operating costs. There will be an audit process led by IRD. This support is available to help more than 400,000 businesses who have 50 or fewer employees. It is designed to get immediate support and help to our smaller businesses to cover costs like rent and other bills.It sits alongside the business Finance guarantee scheme that we put in place with banks for medium-sized businesses. Today I can also announce we are making a number of updates to this scheme based on the feedback we’ve had. This includes removing the government requirement for a general security agreement and making the scheme more flexible by not requiring customers to have drawn down all existing facilities before applying. We are considering further changes to that scheme as well to ensure it plays its part in supporting our businesses. Taken together, the wage subsidy and the business loan guarantee scheme, the significant packages of tax changes and the support through the small business loan scheme, we have a significant package to cushion the blow of Covid-19 for businesses, to protect jobs and put New Zealand’s economy on a footing to get going again off the back of the amazing work New Zealanders have all done to stamp out Covid-19 and get a head start for our economic recovery.Finally, the Prime Minister in her press conferences this week has finished by talking about slices of kiwi ingenuity that we are seeing at alert level three, as we find new ways of working or making sure we stay on course for our health response. Today I’d like to add one close to my heart as the associate Minister for arts, culture and Heritage. Our arts sector has suffered an intense blow as we fight Covid-19, as have others around the world, seen through the cancellation or postponement of festivals. In New Zealand we are bringing our art house to your house this year.The New Zealand international film festival is this year presenting online for the very first time. From the 24th of July to the second of August, the world-class curated program of world and New Zealand films can be screened at home. The joy, inspiration and connection these festivals bring us will be missed by many but now we have a creative solution befitting of our cultural sector and one that is worthy of our support.Happy to take your questions. Can you take the word of the DHP when they say they are trying to minimise infections when staff, three staff have been infected with rotavirus? >> they have lost in extensive investigations after the first case was reported. They have been doing a significant amount of testing of both staff and patients. The two further cases that have developed since then have added to that intensity of swabbing which is under way. They are investigating that and that is still in progress. That includes patients as well as staff. . >> how can you take them at their word that they’re doing everything they can to minimise infections when they have new staff infected? >> they are investigating it thoroughly and the staff who were infected, we still don’t know the source of that infection but the DHB has assured me that the staff are wearing PPE when they were dealing with any COVID-19 residents when now transferred to that ward will stop >> what role did the staff have when I transferred within the hospital? >> I don’t have the details of the exact roles they had stop but the DHB has investigated when and where they were working and what possible contacts they had with any patients and ensured that PPE was worn with patients.That’s why they need to ensure and make sure that there are no possible breaches of any PPE. >> just to be absolutely clear, this is obviously a hospital that has been dealing with transfer patients from the Saint Margaret ‘s rest home. We have assurances that the staff involved were all wearing PPE but this is why we have to continue to investigate these matters but also be aware as we have seen a number of times that unfortunately, PPE is not clearly foolproof and we have to be taking extra vigilance. I’m sure that is the outcome there. >> (REPORTER INAUDIBLE) >> I think for small and medium enterprises in particular, there are quite specific issues. Many of the small businesses in New Zealand are based upon a individuals and the capital in the business has been created off the back of their own house or savings and those people can’t always get the support they need from a bank.This is a scheme that is designed specifically for small and medium enterprises. We believe that as a scheme that will be welcomed because it will give instant access to cash flows, to the working capital that is needed to support these businesses through the situation. The business Finance guarantee scheme, we are continuing, as I said, to tweak the criteria of that and work with the banks to ensure it does play its part. When it comes to small to medium businesses, we think this spoke scheme issue directly to the government will mean they get the cash flow they need. >> the tourism industry is really keen to get domestic travel under way again. Is that something the government will look at? >> as the government said yesterday, the Prime Minister is still finalising what will happen under level two with some of those specific areas.Quite clearly, under level two, we want to be limiting things like mass gatherings. But we have to look again at the detail of what is required. How that remains safe and doesn’t cause further infections. So that is under way at the moment to see what can be done under level two. >> one of the two new versions, along with the loan scheme and one without, why was the table when it was announced initially? >> the bill that was put out yesterday, in the parliamentary council office was put out, it was incorrect. The parliamentary council office has apologised for that. There was always the intention of the government to be able to put the scheme forward and all the legislation was there to create the enabling framework for them. I think what’s really important here today is that there is a scheme here today that will put money in the pockets of small to medium enterprises and I’m sure they will welcome it.>> parliament has now passed the wrong piece of legislation. >> I wouldn’t characterise the legislation that way. That is something we always intended to do. It is just created the enabling framework for that. To your initial point, there is a lot that has been done with a great deal of speed at the moment. From time to time, there will be a mistake. This was a mistake, a genuine mistake. The parliamentary council officers apologise for that. The good news is that the scheme is actually getting up there now, getting money to the people who need it. >> How will you assist credit risk and will it be beefed up to assist with how viable these businesses are? >> We’re certainly going to be providing more support to be able to deal with this game. Obviously, revenue, there is a lot of information about businesses which makes it reasonably easy for people to be able to do those investigations.Everyone who applies for this scheme will have to declare that they are a viable business and there will be an audit process that follows on from that. >> what time frame with this loan be available? >>. It’s intention to have scheme month four applications but we will review that before the end of that month to see how the scheme is rolling out and whether there is a need for it to be available and open. >> How much money have you put aside for it? >> It will depend on the number of businesses who applied. We have about 400,000 small to medium enterprises in New Zealand and many of them have taken up the wage subsidy scheme. The amount of money that we need will be dependent on that. >> (REPORTER INAUDIBLE) ‘S.>> we would obviously want to see as many small businesses as possible get paid but there is a risk for some of them that they might not be able to come from the other side of COVID-19 and come through this debt. We will factor that into our calculations about what the fiscal cost is, as we would describe it. We will be hopeful that many, many businesses will be able to pay us back. >> (REPORTER INAUDIBLE) >> I think it is really important to get the balance right here. This is a loan scheme and people need to pay it back. It does have an interest rate attached to it. A 3% rate with a maximum term of five years but if it is paid off in the first year than it is interest-free. I think we got the balance right here with a scheme that will get money to small to medium enterprises as quickly as possible but it is delivered in a responsible way.>> What about those businesses that may have already taken up a loan with the bank and now I’m missing out on these comfortable interest rates government is offering saying, I wish they had a draw that up sooner instead of signing up to something that is going to cost me more in the long run? >> I think obviously those businesses will take the time to consider whether this scheme is something they want to draw down upon. And how that matches with any other debts they might have.As long as you can meet the criteria, the scheme is available, and it’s effectively the same criteria for the wage subsidy scheme. Along with you making a declaration that you are a viable business. The scheme was open to those businesses as well as other small to medium enterprises. >> are you going to support Taiwan’s resumption, as a member of the World Health Organization? >> That is a matter I would need to get the advice from of the Ministry of foreign affairs and the Ministry of Health I can’t answer that question. >> do you support Australia’s call for an inquiry into the origins of the virus and who is responsible? >> I think like all nations, New Zealand is very focused on making sure we get our response right in New Zealand, that we look after the people of New Zealand. We are very interested in the origins of COVID-19 because it helps explain to us what we need to do to respond to it.CROSSTALK >> Do government entities, ministries, health authorities etc, have the freedom to make comments on COVID-19 and respond to questions or did have to go back to their superiors? >> It will depend on the question is. If it is something that involves the ministers office or something the Prime Minister has been commenting on, it will be the normal practice around information. We have the no surprises policy that operates across government but you would have to give me a specific example. >> (REPORTER INAUDIBLE) >> It would just be the normal arrangements we have. Obviously, the chief executive’s responsibilities with the departments and we know from the work we do normally that and when we generally front the media on particular issues, it will very much depend on the circumstances of the particular issue.>> will tourism be allowed under alert level two? >> We are looking at elite level two and the rules set behind that. We are going to make sure we continue to balance the importance of public health with getting the economy going again and cabinet will be making its decisions about that over the coming week. >> Say without it, thousands of jobs will be lost… (REPORTER INAUDIBLE) >>. We need to make sure that whatever happens is done safely and upholds the public health guidelines of alert level two. The cabinet is now going through, is to assess what can and can’t happen in detail in alert level two and we will have a lot more to say about that next week.>> ‘S existing advice is to avoid all non-essential travel, less regionally, but you aren’t rolling out domestic tourism… (REPORTER INAUDIBLE) >> We will provide that certainty and clarity as we work through the detail of what alert level two looks like. We know the travel has been an issue in terms of transmission of the virus and so we have to make decisions which uphold our public health guidelines. But we absolutely understand that for domestic tourism, particularly, that is the lifeline for the tourism industry.We were just making those decisions over the coming week. CROSSTALK >> Just a follow-on from question, does that mean there will be more rules about when alert levels will be released next week to give businesses an idea what is coming? >> Just as we have done, when moving towards alert level three, we have spent a lot time as a government looking at the exact clarity of what the rules will be with alert level free and we need to do the same thing with level two.We put out high-level guidance but as the Prime Minister said yesterday, we are reviewing that guidance to make sure that it both meets our public health guidelines and addresses economic activity to the extent we possibly can. Those that is — decisions will be made and addressed in the future. >> (REPORTER INAUDIBLE) >> I don’t have any information about that today, Craig. I do note the minister of foreign affairs and trade continues to work with New Zealanders overseas to do what they can to support them. We’ve obviously had a number of people come from India on a number of flights and I know that the Minister of foreign affairs and the officials continue to do everything they can.I don’t have specific information about that. >> You put the idea of universal Basic income on the table. Does it remain on the table? >> I said before that the really important thing when it comes to stimulus and the economy is getting the timing of that right. Right now, when we are in level four and level three, similar packages have a limited effect. What we want to make sure is that we are planning for the medium to long-term for New Zealand and we are looking at all the options available for us to continue to support New Zealanders to both make ends meet but also to be a part of an economy that grows. Those decisions have not been made so it is not a matter of saying, something is on or off the table. We’re just considering all options at this time. >> Did you consider raising the level of bank guarantee, the government guarantee on the existing loan guarantee from 8% to 100%? >> We continue to look at what is possible in the business finance guarantee scheme.The trees we made today address some of that feedback, particularly around the general security agreement requirements. We are also making some changes for access to particular types of businesses. We are bringing farm leading into that scheme which was not there at the beginning. We are looking at some other changes in the future to make sure the scheme operates well. What we’ve got now is we have a situation now where we are very aware of small to medium enterprises, 15 alas, these other people who often have their own personal finances involved. We needed to create a scheme so they could get access to working capital to pay the rent and pay the other bills. The Business Finance Guarantee Scheme is more about the medium enterprises and were tweaking that to make sure it can work as possibly, as well as counting. >> On those classes that were close to being close, other one it has been closed, can you give us detail as to what classes they were and is that an encouraging sign that we are able to see 28 days without any new cases? >> I need to check on the website to see if that is signalled on the website because that is where we will be posting details of the clusters.It is very encouraging. We have determined that a cluster would be officially closed when you have a 28 day period from when the last day was — case was reported. The fact that that is what we’re seeing with more of these clusters is extremely encouraging and we do expect to be able to close off other clusters. >> At some point in the next week or so, when will be no if level three is working? There a 2-week transmission period, so when will you be looking at our case numbers and things, and will be no Kiwis are of obeying the rule and not spreading during level three? >> We continue to look at case numbers every day and provide advice to government as to what the cases are telling us. It’s a mixture of looking really good, we’ve got very low case numbers, but at the same time we are seeing cases being reported, so it reminds us that we do need to be cautious and we’ll continue to do that for the next period we are in Level three to provide advice as to what level two might mean.>> It’s important to remember that the key thing here is to break the chain of community transmission, we don’t have evidence of widespread community transmission in New Zealand, so that’s something we should all be encouraged by but as we see the cases come in, we continue to look closely at them to understand everything we can about them and as we did when we were moving from level four to level three, we want the most up-to-date information to inform the government’s decision about that.That’s the information we get provided every day by the Ministry of Health, so while the signs remain and continue to be encouraging, we will make that decision with the most up-to-date information we can get. Down the frontier. >> There’s people receiving main benefits in the last week, what do you make of those numbers and how much further can we expect that to balloon, I guess, to double out? >> As we said last week, this is extremely distressing for every New Zealander who loses their job and finds themselves going on the jobseeker benefit.We are attempting to limit that as much as possible and the wage subsidy scheme has done a great job with that, but we’ve been very clear from the start, the impact of this crisis will be more significant than the global financial crisis, and that did see unemployment rise sharply as well. What we have to do is work closely with all New Zealanders to support them not only to stay in work but be able to retrain, get new jobs and new skills and to support the sectors that will provide those, that will be a focus within the budget. >> On Wednesday, Doctor Linfield urged all Australians, New Zealanders to get their flu shots, but they told their members on advice of the Health Minister, vaccine stocks will likely run out next week, why are you giving what appears to be misleading information to the public? >> We’ve seen fantastic response to the immuno influenza immunisation programme this year, and we’ve given out more vaccines than ever.We continue to get more vaccine coming into the country, but there has been a request from the sector, as well as an information we’ve provided to the sector, that if there is potential for any delay in receiving vaccines, that the sector have that information. There was information given out to the sector to say we are working with them to get the vaccine out there, we will get you the vaccine that you need, but be prepared that you may not have that vaccine at the time you are planning to use it stop that was a specific request from the sector that they have that heads up, but we hope we have more vaccine coming in and we hope there will be no issue with the delay. >> To be clear, there are 700 vaccine doses around the country that haven’t been administered, so they are in the community.There is an availability of flu vaccine. As of last week, 587,000 people had been vaccinated, compared to 290,000 people on the same day in 2019. With the 700,000 vaccines still available in the community to be administered, we are confident we have the supplies we need and we’ve already vaccinated far more people than we would have in the past. The communications from the Ministry of Health indicate that there is more vaccine on the way, and we’re asking… >> Might we run out next week? >> The communications we’ve had from the Ministry of Health is there are 700,000 vaccines out there, there’s more on the way, that is simply a piece of information to the sector about the way the vaccines have already been delivered into the communities and what will be coming in the future. >> To follow-up, PHR are saying they will likely run out next week, that was the advice from the Ministry of Health, so how can Doctor Blofeld argue they are widely available? >> They are widely available, there 700,000 in the community.– there’s 700,000 in the community. We have talked about the distribution in these press conferences around the DHP and if there’s a DH Young PHO saying that we need to talk to the DHP about how it can be administered. >> 15 bookings were cancelled because of uncertainty, isn’t this a complete debacle? >> I don’t accept that at all. When you got a situation where you’ve got 587,000 people vaccinated compared with 290,000 at the same time last year, that represents a campaign that is out there and working. Clearly we need to ensure the distribution chains within our health system work well, but with that level of vaccination, and a commitment that more is coming, we are continuing the kind of campaign that New Zealanders would expect. >> A question from our newsroom, have you got an update on the number of suicides that have occurred since lockdown? If so, what is the policy regarding testing new Covid-19 and is there a policy in terms of mental health checks on vulnerable patients during the pandemic? >> I don’t actually have information specifically around suicides, but we can provide that information for you.What I can say, though, is that as part of our surveillance and strategy to make sure that we are identifying and capturing any Covid-19 infections that might be out there, any sudden deaths that occur in the community that are subject to a coroner ‘s enquiry, that testing for Covid occurs if it is felt that person could have died as a result of that, so that’s an extra piece of information that we have two tell us about Covid-19 in the community — two tell us. >> A question in terms of the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme, how much of a risk are taxpayers going to be exposed to by removing the requirement to have a general security agreement? Do you expect if that requirement is removed, banks will still have a requirement themselves and take some security? >> At this time, our risk remains the 80% risk we announced at the beginning.We’ve been clear that what we wanted from the scheme was for viable but vulnerable businesses to be supported stop there are clearly some businesses banks won’t support, as we mentioned at the start, for example, those on the watch list, but what we wanted from the scheme was for banks to apply it in such a way where businesses who might not have processed previously, as long as they were still viable. We have removed the requirement for the general security agreement, it will still be up to banks, but it is still the case we are continuing to look at further tweets to the scheme. >> In terms of the extra risk taxpayers are taking on, if a business collapses, taxpayers might not be able to take that business owner’s house, which I know is an unfortunate and horrible situation, but no doubt you have to balance taxpayer risk as well? >> Bear in mind, the schemes are being delivered by the banks, so in the end it remains up to the bank to make decisions about what kind of security they will take on.We’re saying the government is not requiring that in terms of our 80% underwriting, but we’re not in a position of being the people who look at a particular type of security. I think it’s really important, it’s one of the reasons why we have put in place today the small business loan scheme, we want the smaller businesses, many of whom half finance of the back perhaps of a second mortgage on their home, to get support that doesn’t require them to concern themselves about that. If they campaign it back within a year, it is interestingly. It is about cash flow for the small businesses that are so important — interest-free. >> I have a slightly indelicate decision.Thousands of people have been going to the beach. Councils have been told to keep toilets closed, which has seen people relieving themselves in the sand dunes — indelicate question stop can talk about that? — indelicate question. >> We will go back to the beginning, people need to show a sense of personal responsibility. I think we all know what’s right and wrong when it comes to relieving one’s self when it comes to the beach. In terms of a general comment about what people should be doing, we continue to want them to stay close to home. Under level three, there has been some relaxation to allow you to travel within your region, but that is for short-term recreation. It’s also to make sure there are some further options available for people, but the first and best reference is Tuesday local. I can say some other things, but I won’t — is Tuesday local. At the front and we will come back to you, Jen — is to stay local. >> The shuffle projects criteria doesn’t address things like gas emissions and effects on climate change, which they are warning about, what assurance can you give to them about future decisions made on these projects? >> The decisions made on what projects will be adopted will be made by Cabinet and Cabinet will be operating under the plans we’ve already announced, and one of the core ones of those is the importance of a transition to a low-carbon economy.The decisions we make will be supportive of those goals the government has had from the beginning, and we showed with our New Zealand upgrade program, which had a mixture of projects, which included road projects, but it included rail and getting rid of some of the boilers in our schools and hospitals, it included cycling, it included walking projects, so that’s a sign that you can see of the fact that when we think about infrastructure, we have in mind all the things that matter ? creating jobs, making sure we can transition to that low-carbon environment, rowing productivity and keeping the economy moving. We continue to manage those in our decisions about infrastructure projects — growing. >> They want to be allowed to go to level two sooner, what do you say to them? They have really struggled. >> It’s really important that we continue to stay the course on level three. New Zealanders know the great gains we made in level four, and we need to lock those in through level three, and that’s because as a country of 5 million, we have decided collectively that we are all in this together.I can understand on communities like the West Coast they say they want to get on with it, we all do, but we’ve got to stay the course at level three. As the Prime Minister said yesterday, we haven’t ruled out the possibility that there could be rain differences in the future, but for now this is something all in together. I also bear in mind, and I’m sure the mayormayors on the West Coast understand this, the first death from Covid-19 was on the West Coast, so it’s an example of how this virus can spread and spread easily and that’s why we have Tuesday under level three.>> Mortgage brokers are saying that there will be more defaults in the coming months, are you concerned about that? >> I am concerned for all New Zealanders to have the resources to pay their mortgages, and that’s why one of the early things agreed with banks was the mortgage referral scheme — deferral scheme. That’s why we are providing support through the tax system and the small business cash flow support we announced today. This will have a big impact on the New Zealand economy and the government is doing all it can to support people to pay their bills, like their mortgages. >> Any forecast on the number of defaults and the financial costs and now you are offering help to banks? >> The finance scheme is a significant help from the government.The banks have strong balance sheets in New Zealand and like they are under pressure, like all companies, they are making arrangements with their customers now for interest only payments, deferral of mortgage payments. I don’t have specific information about the particular impacts of that, but we all know this is an economic shock that will affect a lot of New Zealanders. >> A slightly random question from my colleague. >> Go for it. >> There is a company down south creating tissues, they’ve got Doctor Glenfield’s face on it with the words “Curb pressure”. They are using it for charity, though, and $50,000 has actually been raised for women’s refuge.What do you think about this innovative idea and would you consider buying one? >> I think it’s fantastic New Zealanders in a time of crisis like this are raising money for a cause like Women’s Refuge and we should be proud of the fact in a time of crisis people come together like that. I’m conscious of the fact Doctor Bloomfield has become something of a cult figure in New Zealand and from time to time that means you end up on T-shirts and tea towels and things like that. I haven’t found the website address to make that order, I had to make sure they have the right sizes available. >> Doctor, a question from health workers of Covid-19, last weekend there was a nurse at Burwood who was recorded as positive. Any details as how they got it? >> I don’t have those details to hand but those are certainly situations where we investigate fully to find out how they might have been exposed to the virus. >> What about the current investigation, how long do you expect that to take, at Waitara? >> We expect to get a further update later today.The first case was notified on the weekend and there were some initial investigation that happened there. And there was a case again yesterday and today. There has been extensive over testing and we expect to get further results either today or tomorrow. >> Now that the final details about the cannabis legislation control bill have been released, will you be supporting it? >> At a personal level, I will be supporting it, at a referendum. That is a position I have held for a very long time. This is a personal choice for New Zealanders. What the release of the deal means is that there at the next stage of New Zealanders being able to make up their mind. On thing I would say, this is a personal view, is that for me, it is not the most important issue facing New Zealand and facing me.While I have a moral stance on it, I am a single individual and now is the opportunity for New Zealanders to understand the bill. It will be a large public education campaign it which will enable people to understand it as it as much as possible. >> Have you looked at the public polling at the moment? >> I’m not interested in the polls at the moment. It will be the same as coming your way. >> Could you respond, the National Party on this, the poll came out at 55%. They should focus on getting New Zealand back to work and not taking dodgy numbers.What is a response that? >> We are focused completely on making sure we support New Zealanders through COVID-19 and I very, very confident that the pole coming into the public had nothing to do with the Labor Party. >> Did it sound like dodgy numbers to you? >> I’m not interested in dodgy files. — polls. >> What would you expect police and health authorities to do, but those pictures, considering that local police are reluctant? >> I think everybody will understand just how difficult this issue is for all of us. We going to have people in our lives who we know are potentially going to be facing the loss of a family member or a friend at this time and it is incredibly hard. We put the rules in place we had around limiting people who go to funerals or good topic health reasons.And the particular case that is here, the family said about having a funeral with only 10 people also attending and it blew out to a large number. That is really disappointing, these rules have been put in place with consultation with groups. We urge people in really difficult circumstances to stick to the rules here. I’m sure the police will take a compassionate approach but the rules are rules. And people do need to stand by them. >> Another question on the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme. Will agricultural businesses be able to get loans under the scheme? >> That is correct. That is a change we made. Initially, they were taken out of this game because it was felt by the banks and ourselves but they would dealt with through other products that the tanks may have but in order to make the scheme as venerable as possible, it is time to open that up to those businesses.Thanks everybody, have a good weekend..
