COVID-19 update, 6 December 2021 4pm

First of up today I want to speak with the latest progress we've made in securing COVID medicines.

As we settle into the new traffic light framework we see that COVID response remains where we push forward cautiously with fewer restrictions, more careful travel around the country and families and friends reuniting. COVID treatments are an important part of this momentum. Providing extra layer of protection to keep people safe as those restrictions are eased.

Today, I can announce that Pharmac has signed an advanced purchase agreement for 60 #240u,000 courses of Pfizer's old anti viral treatment which is subject to mid safe approval. While only early and interim data has been released, clinical trials have shown this treatment is shaping up to be particularly promising. With an 89% reduction and hospitalisation.

In simple terms the drug taken orally. over the course of few days is the first of its kind to hone in on coronavirus and can be taken at the first sign of symptoms. To help stop people from getting really unwell.

 It's a big step forward for management of COVID-19 globally. I know many of you maybe interested in some of the clinical trials and other elements of this purchase, so Dr Bloomfield, will be providing a briefing at the end of this week. That will also be live-streamed.

This is our second advance purchase agreement for an oral anti viral to treat mild to moth moderate cases to COVID-19 with an agreement for 60,000 courses signed for October. It brings COVID medicines secured and managed by Pharmac to 6 in total. Three are in use to the hospitals. The rest are subject to mid safe approval will arrive in New Zealand early in the new year.

 Alongside vaccinations are hospital treatments are already reducing a likelihood of people needingipera ICU. For range effect tors the ICU aid in Auckland has dropped to 3% of hospitalisations down from the 5.7% that we saw earlier on in the pandemic. We've made sure Pharmac can secure access to COVID-19 medicines as soon as possible with 175 million dollars allocated for medicines an supply chain crosses an 300ml available for purchasing COVID- 19 therapeutics.

Treatments are only one part of our plan. We must continue with all the other elements of our strategy to manage COVID-19. Like for instance contact tracing and testing. Here is another good reason why. Pfizer's new anti viral has a 3 to 5 day window from the beginning of COVID systems to be effective. Most effective from three days still with efficacy up to five. While the drug will work with people early on in the illness they may have been sick for a day or two which is why we need to maintain an effective contact tracing, testing and clinical assessment regime to make sure that we reach people in a timely way so these drugs can really have the full benefit.

But of course preventing people from getting COVID in the first place through vaccination and safety nets built into traffic light system is the very best protection we can often. We don't want to wait until people are unwell and treat them. Per capita New Zealand maintains lowest number of cases an deaths in the OCD. Well below other countries too.

Total case numbers set at toement of about 12,000. The lowest in all of the 38 countries of the OECD. Next up is ice land at 18,000. 90,000 in Luxembourg. Other countries come in 100s of thousands and millions. Peaking at nearly 50ml in the US.

On deaths every single one of our 44 deaths is obviously an strewth tragedy. We would rather have prevented. So too are the 880 in luxe m Burke, the 2,000 in Australia and 788,000 in the United States. Even right down to the local level we see the success of our cautious approach.

 In the past week across the northern DHP which includes the northern DHPs and Auckland, there are 432 fewer cases and 70 fewer hospitalises that have been predicted. It demonstrates vaccines are working. We know with 2 transmissibility of Delta that we will have more cases in our community. And more people recovering at home.

And so we must be as prepared as possible to support all of those individuals to get well soon. So treatments are another way we can keep people safe and ensure that our hospitals maintain capacity.

Finally, an update on vaccination predictions. As we move forward and look to review the traffic lights on Monday, 13 December, in the Auckland boundary eases on Wednesday 15 December, we move forward as a highly vaccinated population. 88% of our eligible population is now fully vaccinated. And 93% have had their first dose.

We've some new predictions that I wanted to share today. Nation we are predicted at 80% double dose on 14 or 15 December. As the Auckland boundary changes. All Auckland DHBs are predicted to 90% by the 15 December also.

My message finally is simple. We are in a system that relies on a good spread of vaccination. We have achieved that. But every percentage point helps which means every vaccination helps. So if you do feel second dose please get it this week.

 If you haven't had your first please talk to someone who has. Reach out. Make sure you are having your questions answered. It's the number one thing you can do to help make sure we have a safe Christmas and summer for you and your loved ones.

Happy to take questions.

>> What are you going to do about the fraudulent use of vaccine passports which seems to be easy and already previous leant.

>> I don't think taers it's fair to say we have evidence of this being a widespread issue. However, of course we have the ability through the verify app to make sure that the pass that someone is a legitimate pass. We have enough details on the pass itself to also check that someone is who they claim to be by using photo ID. The fact you may not know any given venue which will be use said a way we can keep those checks an balances. We do want to make sure though if passes aren't being checked that the public have a way to raise concerns if there are any. We're working through how we might enable people to do that if they have concerns.

>> Looking forward into, I guess it's OK for hospitality because there aren't as many people, looking in the season. Will you expecting a bit more directives to be using the verify app, every single person every time.

>> A number of ticketing agencies are working on ways they can build into the ticketing process. Some of those checks that are otherwise might be at gate. That's one of the reasons of course you will know that we released some of the technical details for the tracer app, to try and make it as accessible and seamless as possible for large scale events.

>> Just quickly on completely different topic. You are going up against Christopher first time in the house tomorrow. What are you expecting.

>> Obviously, this is now the fifth Opposition Leader I've faced. That doesn't change my job. My job is exactly the same as it's always been. So my approach, be it in the house or any other regard will be the same as well.

>> Formidable client.

>> I've treated every Opposition Leader exactly the same. I'll continue to do so. Doesn't change my job. And what I have a responsibility to do. I'll come to Miky.

>> Are you used to being in those positions of power and in the boardroom and so on. Are you expecting that to play to his advantage when he comes up against you tomorrow.

>> Look, I think Parliament and politics and a pandemic is a completely different environment. I wish the new leader of the opposition well. I don't imagine it's easy to manage a caucus where you have three past leaders within it. That can't be an easy job. I do wish him good luck.

>> Is that a dig.

>> No. It's a statement of fact.

>> Just on COVID, please, Prime Minister. Have there been any issues raised with you about the first few days of the traffic light system. Is there anything that needs to be changed or looked at.

>> Look, having come in now and had a bit of a sit down and talk through with our team. Following the weekend and, of course, reading some of feedback from those who are operating the system as well as just speaking to those who have been using it day-to-day. A remarkable change has been implemented with actually reasonably small number of issues which is fantastic. However, we do expect there to be some issues that we will work very hard to iron out quickly. I do ask those who might be operating the system if you do come up against tweaks you believe will make the system a little easier, please make sure you get fwl touch with your associations. We're keen to have that feedback.

>> Give us an idea on where these tweaks might happen.

>> None of them are particularly substantial. For instance, retail actually aren't required to use vaccine passes. We've noticed that some are using them. We want to make sure they know they're not required to. If they choose to, that's fine. We want to make sure the retailer are clear they have those options. Otherwise just making sure again, if people are concerned, that they haven't been asked with a pass where they should have been. They have a raise way of raising it if they're concerned.

>> On Friday night there was a change to takeaways no longer have to have staff and customers vaccinated. Why is that.

>> That's not a change. There was, I guess, a bit of question mark. Some takeaways weren't clear on whether or not they were to be treated as hospitality or whether or not they were treated as retail. You can tell from, of course, the framework. That when people are using vaccine certificates it's very much around people dining in. The ability to dine in and so on. Just coming to pick up your fish and chip it's a bit different.

>> Prime Minister, you said if the public are worried about vaccine passes not being checked you're looking at a way of having a system in place. Are you going to be dob in...

>> No, not at all. Of course if someone has a concern we don't want them necessarily escalating those things at a high level than they need to. It's just thinking about if people want a bit of clarity how do they raise a concern like that. Making sure we have a single point for them.

>> In terms of you being out and about in the community, I given your case is probably different to most Kiwis. If you have you experienced checking the passes.

>> Yes, I have. Yes, I have.

>> Are you happy with the compliance.

>> Absolutely. I can report that, yes, I have absolutely been asked to show my vaccine pass. That's exactly as it should be.

>> As I said you would be exemption to that. People would see you coming and panic a bit. If they weren't doing it usually. In terms of general report back, have you got an idea of compliance level at this stage.

>> It's fair to say that based on what we're hearing from different sources including the fact that no police district has reported any significant compliance issues. You would have heard they're out in central Auckland just being present, undertaking the odd spot check. They've had nothing to report. So, no, nothing significant at this stage. Of course, we will have examples where someone may not have been asked or maybe concerned about whether or not rules are being followed. That's not unexpected. As those arise we'll work through them.

>> The wage subsidy where employees could escalate it.

>> Yes. This is the question. Of course, we're mindful of, it is important that people follow these rules because we've actually seen in countries that have used vaccine passes the one that are most successful at preventing people from getting sick are the ones where they've been used properly. Rather than just something that people ignore. We can't afford to ignore this. We've done it for good reason. It does have positive impact. It's about making sure we're encouraging everyone just to keep doing the right thing. Do you mind if I come back to you.

>> Have there been anymore testing or positive waste water results. What is your assessment of the situation.

>> We haven't had any further waste water results. We're expecting the latest one back shortly. Testing rates in the population we can do with more test. In other words when people have systems to go and be tested. We haven't found of what the source might be of the waste water result. The important thing is as we found in other places, if we keep testing we'll eventually find, if there is a positive case there. We would encourage anyone. Especially in Gisburn. If you systems get a test.

>> Can you target more towards the Maori, Pacific, to lift more children out...

>> Of course, one of the reasons that we have this additional data we instigated. We have wanted to add more granule level. Dig down to child poverty numbers in New Zealand so we can make sure that our policies are making a difference to those children that we need to reach. One thing we do know that is the measures that we've taken so far, do have a disproportionate impact on Maurie and Pacific children. You can see why. They're over represented in our poverty statistics. So already of material deprivation. Children not having enough food to eat. Clothing and so on. We know of the impact we've had there we've lifted nearly 10,000 children out of material deprivation. About half of that, sorry 10,000 Maori maur children. It represents half of the number. Our child poverty measures are having a disproportionate but positive impact.

>> Are you concerned about the gap between Maori disabled children and...

>> Yes. Absolutely. We know that Maori and Pacific children and children with disabilities or living in families with disabilities are over represented in our child poverty statistics. We know that. One of the thing we want to do is make sure that we have a better understanding of the impact of our policies on these groups as well. But we also know that of the positive progress we've made it's also positively impacting these children too. We need to keep going.

>> Those child poverty monitor figures are from before COVID. Do you think it gets worse.

>> They are. One of the things that has been a little difficult is our ability to survey. These are all based on survey data that of course has been impacted because of COVID itself and our ability to adequately survey. We do expect COVID to have an impact. But that's why we haven't waited for numbers to tell us that. That's why we've made changes to working for families. Which some of which you saw only a matter of weeks ago. It's why we've lifted government support rates. It's why we made changes to the inwork test for families. So all of those things have been to try get ahead of the impacts of COVID.

>> What's your latest understanding of the transmissibility of the Omicron.

>> So I've heard some - there's assumptions around this. It's very preliminary. I'd be a bit hesitant to share what they are saying at the moment. Most believe are tending to base it on what they are seeing in South Africa. There's many variables around that density profile of the population and so on. Dr Bloomfield. I'll leave you to give the comment.

>> My main comment there's more speculation on fact on Omicron. Another week or two before we know nothing of particular interest to us. Is the experience and increasing number of high income countries that have got cases in a particularly looking at how it behaves in us places like Norway. Where there's been outbreak in indoor setting in a party. Rather than perhaps the comparison with South Africa. So team today is doing an update of risk assessment. I'll expect advice later on today.

>> 25 cases and rising in Australia as of today. When you announce the reopening plans to the rest of the world, starting with Australia on January 17, switch from self-isolation, you said you were committed to that date. Will Omicron, could it change that.

>> We haven't changed any of those decisions. I think it would be too early to do that tore rule in or out any further future possible decisions where we are going to use recent evidence that sits in front of us when we make decisions like that. None of that has been changed.

>> Is that set in stone.

>> We haven't changed it. What we're presented with evidence that suggests that presents a significant danger to the population for issues around vaccine, efficacy and so on. Of course we'll look at the data and consider whether or not we need to change anything we're doing. We don't have that data yet. It would be too early. The only other thing I would say is, we've put in place measures to make sure that we are taking a cautious approach at our border. It is inevitable that there will be an Omicron case at our border. That is inevitable. The same way we had people come into MIQ in Delta. We tried to manage that at our border rather than at our community.

>> Do people on summer holidays need to sit...

>> No, because of course it won't be unexpected. Any of us are surprise if we have an case in MIQ given what we've seen happen internationally. What we're making sure is we're already pre-emptively considered any protocols that we may or may not need. Over the coming weeks. It's a when not an if. Ministers remain available all through the summer period.

>> On the notion or suggestion, is there maybe should not travel for the summer holidays to reduce the risk of COVID spreading. What is your view of that. Is it necessary or excessive?

>> So we have built our arrangements, our COVID protection framework, the requirements of all Aucklanders, those are the protections we've put in place. So a that we can enable safe movement. So we are not asking people to stay home. We're instead asking them to follow the rules wherever they are in the country. So if you are an Aucklander and you are double vaccinated then you are able to move. If you haven't been, you need to be tested. If you don't want to do either of those things then, of course, we would ski to stay where you are. For the rest of the country, of course, we ask people to follow the COVID protection plan. If you are in the red area make sure you follow those guidelines. They've all been set to ensure that despite the movement around the country we're doing it as safely as we can.

>> With the public help benefit people staying at home and not going on holiday for instance. People in Auckland for instance maybe want to travel tos a little less vaccinated.

>> The reason we put so much effort into the vaccination program and got our rating up here, particularly in Auckland is to help support getting back to normal and allowing people to travel around again. In addition, there's of course the safeguard of requiring a test of people who are unvaccinated when they leave Auckland. Likewise the protection framework puts in a range of measures in any part of the country to limit the activities that unvaccinated people can undertake particularly high- risk settings. The whole purpose of it is to enable people to move around safely.

>> Would you disagree with those people who are say thatting.

>> More important is that people who are unwell don't travel and, in fact, they stay home and get a test and do all the things we've done right through the pandemic. It's not about travel per se. It's about what people do if they have symptoms or have been a contact or are a case. That's where we need to restrict movement. No different right through the pandemic.

>> No different regardless if you are in Auckland or any part of the country.

>> On natural law reform, the minister of justice has put out the con tultation documents on transparency around political donations. I'd like to know if the government Labor Party would support a ban on anonymous donations out right. And the opening of parties annual financial reports.

>> So this is where I think we are putting out a range of questions to the public around what is going to continue to increase public confidence. So whilst we haven't taken a final position on those issues, when we are genuinely interested in what we can do to make sure, we sure up peoples trust in their democracy. We're keen to go through that process an hear from the public on that.

>> Do you think it will be pragmatic at all to entirely ban anonymous donations.

>> Look, I don't see why it wouldn't be pragmatic. It would be able to be implemented. The question you're asking is pragmatic from a political party's perspective. Is that the question.

>> Yes. And I mean, is it - is there not a benefit to have anonymity for some.

>> Look, I if your question is there some who will choose not to donate if they lose their anonymity. I'm sure that's the case. Absolutely. I think the question really here is allowing the public to have their say on their views.

>> Will you want to see your party's annual returns made public.

>> Of course, there is a degree of transparency already around a political parties returns. The question is the degree of expansion around that. Again, it's in everyone's interest to ensure that people trust in their democracies. Yes, we have a job to be able to go out and campaign and communicate with voters and tra traditionally in New Zealand has required every party to rely on political donations. What we are all weighing up is making sure that through that process, we don't lose people's trust and support in the system that we're all a part of.

>> Weighing up here, the party says you're doing this in order to stop parties like - stop the opposition basically from not as much donations.

>> Obviously that's not the case. We're all operate on party donations. We all do. It's the nature of our systems. We have got the same issues at stake. Equally I thought we have the same interest in ensuring that people have confidence in it too. I'll come back to Amelia.

>> Can you please detail how these anti viral treatments work. You start from getting tested. Are you able to go to pharmacy to pick them up and take them home. How does it work?

>> Well, the first thing is just to reiterate Friday we'll do a full briefing with people who know more ant these things than I do. That's first thing. The second thing, I think the thing that is particularly helpful for this new Pfizer medication and just remembering they only publish the first results they haven't even published them in a your mall a month ago. This is early for us to be able to secure the supply of it. The important thing is that it can be taken in the community because it's a tablet rather than the other anti virals which require hospitalisations. It's particularly useful for people who are at high-risk but are not requiring hospitalisation. Especially if it's used early. All the issues around who would provide it, how it would be supplied are still to be worked through. It needs to go through the mid safe process. We'll work out all those sorts of details. Key thing here is it's another option for helping prevent people getting really unwell or dying. But at the moment, the option is of course the best one and is available to everyone is vaccination.

>> It would be specifically for the high-risk people.

>> That's the group that has been trialled in. It's people who are at high-risk of hospitalisation or death. But who are not necessarily requiring hospital care. It prevents the illness getting worse.

>> Prime Minister, with respect on the travel for summer plans, is it not that it's a don't travel at all, it's paragraphs don't travel to certain places. Like we're seeing the Bay and campsite closed areas. Concerned about the low vaccination rates. Is it perhaps to reconsider...

>> Just as I said, we've factored that all in. If we do have members of community who are concerned about the low vaccination rates in their community, that's why we've said OK that area is in red. That means there are extra layers of protection where the highest risk is of course unvaccinated people, large gatherings and so on. That prevents that kind of activity which of course we would all be concerned about. Keep in mind most have concerns around for instance the greater movement of Aclanders. They're among the highest vaccinated group now. We're careful to make sure that we ease carefully with high vaccination rates but also with that extra layer of protection through the COVID protection framework.

>> How is that you are monitoring vaccine passes.

>> The checks that are available it's twofold. Two issues you want to protect against is that you have a pass that is fake. That's where the verification app allows through QR Code scanning to ensure it's a legitimate pass. Second issue if someone uses a legitimate pass and it's not theres. That's where at any point some people may use photo ID particularly if using photo ID because of nature of the business. The fact that you could be asked for either is an extreme mechanism. Some countries do neither and have continued to successfully operate vaccine passes. We have that extra protection here.

>> Someone can turn up at a bar and turn away their passes. Is it logged anywhere.

>> We have the ability, if there is an issue and the person is still on premise we're contacted and enabled to issue it. We have the ability to issue fines. You can penalised for trying to use a pass in that way. I would have to ask our technical team whether or not if something scans up with a red whether or not's there's automatic enforcement around that.

>> Certain passes...

>> Obviously my head reports of couple of people being turned away at different venues. For the most people people who are not vaccinated won't try for the most part. I'll come to you. Sorry.

>> In terms of high-risk countries, are you adding more of the countries with Omicron into that. So for example Norway and it's not one of the nine African countries on it.

>> We added those countries on the public health advice. We're expecting to receive renewed public health advice and Omicron, I believe this week. If we need further recommendations maybe the Cabinet ministers will consider that. We make those decisions based on the public health assessment. One thing we'll keep in mind is of course prevalence and the amount of and number of cases even if you're not necessarily seeing those reported in country you can still countries of destinations still remorting the likely link between northern African countries that we have designated.

>> Some confusion around the rules of swimming pools under the ticket light system. The advice given is swimming pools TLC.

>> That shouldn't be the case. My recollection is they were counted under public facilities.

>> Some councils at the moment have them shut and others have them open.

>> I'll make sure sure that's clarified if that's in a public space. Nothing should be TBC now.

>> Prime Minister, you mentioned that early days on compliance for checking vaccine passes. Seems to be mixed reports. How is the government monitoring the compliance and how low will compliance have to be before you started to do spot checks.

>> I think we need to keep it in proportion. From the reports that we've seen through the police, from the reports we've seen from those businesses operating I don't believe it's fair to say this is a large scale issue. That's the first thing. The second thing of course is that we want to make sure that we maintain a sense of confidence in the system. So that's why we are thinking about ways we can allow people if they have concerns over whether or not the system is utilised as it's intended we have an outlet for that. It's pimped at the right level. We don't for instance necessarily burden the wrong enforcement agencies with those inquiries. We have a portal as it happens at the moment. We are queries like that or issues like that are flicked off to WorkSafe or the police as required. But again, as I say, there's nothing to suggest this is a widespread issue. Ir remember being asked the same thing over scanning. When we put in scanning requirements actually people's compliance with that has been solid.

>> It happened to me twice over the weekend.

>> What was that?

>> Sorry?

>> What happened to you twice. This is where we want to make sure that people are checking in. They were hospitality venues. I don't mean to pry into your weekend. We would have expectation of course if you enter into hospitality venue and even if it's not at the door and the course of the meal and service you asked.

>> How is the government going to check. Will there be mystery shoppers.

>> As I said, we have had compliance checks in those areas. Particularly in Auckland. Police are taking compliance checks. Work Safe has a role to play. We need to respond to people when they raise concerns as you have.

>> Just on the forecasting for double vaccination you mentioned Auckland and the rest of the country. What other forecast double vaccination rates for islander and in particular those DHB areas such as Auckland and...

>> So we've already over 90% dose for Pacific. We're at 84% first dose for Maori. We've reached 90% first dose in the Auckland DHBs I believe. I'll leave it to Dr Bloomfield to provide a breakdown. You may not have that data broken down.

>> Two things around the forecasting. I don't have it broken down by ethnicity. We have it by whole population. Pacific at 92% nationwide. First dose 84%, second dose and climbing. Maori 84% and then 72%. So Maori is the fastest growing. Which is good. In terms of DHBs, the two that will be the longest will take the longest to get there will be north land. They continue to make progress. The key thing is it is still going up nationwide and particularly those rates for Maori.

>> Under a thousand as well. Lakes are tugging along too. There's quite a distance between those DHBs.

>> Finally on the decision that whether to take Auckland down from red oh orange. Is it possible that they could decide that next Monday or is it something that like the green thing has been ruled out.

>> We haven't ruled anything further out other than some of those that have already shared with you. Our decisions will assess based on the public health advice that we receive.

>> What is your feeling about...

>> I do place a lot of weight on the public health advice. Of course, we will be cautious as we have been to date. I will wait though with an open mind on the advice swefed.

>> Prime Minister just in terms of upcoming nuptials over the summer...

>> Change in tact.

>> Just a touch.

>> Big segue.

>> Change in traffic light system how will it affect that.

>> I really don't want to discuss frats the podium. These are weighty decisions that are about - not about my personal circumstances and what comes first is the public health decisions. Nothing else.

>> Prime Minister, Angela Merkel's leaves office this week. Do you have any thoughts about her legacy and leadership style in Europe.

>> I actually had the opportunity to share a few thoughts on this on occasion over the last few weeks with some media outlets have sort views within Europe and had the opportunity with the panel she was a part of from APEC to share a personal reflection with her directly which I was really pleased to have that opportunity. In my mind she's had a profound effect on politics globally because of the role she's played within the EU. But she's also, I think, she had a real effect on me personally. My visit to Germany was early on in my role as Prime Minister. To meet with a leader who took such an interest in our part of the world but also who genuinely wanted to hear the perspective of someone from this part of the world. As I say, quite genuine way. She had a real impact and lasting effect on me. Just, again, it was a reminder to me no matter where we are, no matter the size of our country or the size of our economy we all have a officer speculative that is useful if we want to be politicians that are empathetic that are inquisitive that want to continually learn from others and have someone of that stature who has been around for so long still be so interested in learning new things I think speaks to why she was such an excellent person.

>> Do you inspire to her longevity.

>> One of the questions I asked her was, "That's a really long time. Aren't exhausted." One of her reflections is how much politics as changed in her political cycle over the years. It has. I think the it has changed for journalists. The cycle is so fast and rapid. Very little room for error. I think it's a different environment for - if you have been in that long you'd see that. I bored you to tears with my readings. Thank you everyone.