MoH: Testing plan and guidance

Kia ora koutou,

I’m pleased to be able to provide you with the attached PDF outlining the COVID-19 Testing Plan from April – December 2022 and the initial associated guidance.

Testing is a key tool to help Aotearoa New Zealand recover from and live with COVID-19. Timely and accurate diagnostic testing for COVID-19 continues to be an essential part of the overall COVID-19 response strategy. This advice is based on the ‘most likely’ COVID-19 scenario, informed by COVID Modelling Aotearoa and what has happened overseas.

The current testing settings have been reviewed to ensure they are consistent with COVID-19 response strategy meaning Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will continue as the primary test for the majority of those most likely to have COVID-19 and household contacts.

As with all aspects of the COVID-19 response we will continue to review and update the Testing Plan and modelling if there is new public health advice, significant change to demand, new variant of concern or changes to policy or management settings. 

We thank you for your support throughout the development of the Testing Plan. Any questions can be submitted to covid-19testing@health.govt.nz.

Link to MOH website: https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-response-planning/covid-19-testing-strategy-and-testing-guidance 

Ngā manaakitanga

Vanessa Coull

Principal Advisor l Testing Operations

COVID-19 Health System Response