The testing plan aligns with the surveillance strategy and sets out how we’ll support the elimination strategy. A robust testing plan to detect cases early forms a key pillar of surveillance.
Last updated: 15 March 2021
Testing plan
The purpose of the testing plan is to provide clear and flexible guidance for a sensitive detection system for COVID-19 under different scenarios.
The testing plan takes a systematic risk-based approach to testing to detect cases early and minimise the risk of further transmission. It outlines three settings for testing:
- at the border (ongoing)
- in the community (ongoing), and
- for containment and cluster management (when required).
We work together with the broader health sector to implement our testing plan. Appropriate implementation of the testing plan and ongoing monitoring of testing will give us confidence that the right people are being tested across the country.
Download the testing plan
- Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 Testing Plan (Word, 381 KB)
- Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 Testing Plan (PDF, 245 KB)
- Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 Testing Plan replaces New Zealand’s national testing strategy for June-August 2020, also known as the Mid-Term National Testing strategy.
- Updated 26 January 2021
Testing guidance for the health sector
The testing guidance for the health sector is regularly updated to reflect current conditions. This is to make sure our stakeholders can appropriately implement the testing plan. It provides detailed guidance to the health sector, on a regular basis, to ensure appropriate implementation of the testing plan.
The guidance:
- reiterates key messages
- takes into consideration any new surveillance findings and
- ensures the appropriate focus for our testing resources.
Download the testing guidance
- COVID-19 Testing Guidance for the health sector – 15 April to 26 May 2021 (Word, 163 KB)
- COVID-19 Testing Guidance for the health sector – 15 April to 26 May 2021 (PDF, 290 KB)
- COVID-19 Testing Guidance for the health sector replaces the COVID-19 Testing Strategy updates which were regularly updated and shared with the health sector. This change was made to align with the updated Aotearoa New Zealand COVID-19 Testing Plan.
- Updated: 15 March 2021