By the Re: team
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has tested negative for Covid-19.
At Monday midday, a spokesperson for the prime minister said that Ardern had returned a negative test and was still isolating as per Ministry of Health guidance.
The result comes after Ardern became a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case during a flight.
Ardern along with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and other staff were identified as close contacts after flying on January 22 from Kerikeri to Auckland. The flight, NZ8273, is on the Ministry of Health's website as a location of interest.
Ardern's chief press secretary tested negative for Covid-19 on Monday morning and a spokesperson for Kiro told Re: that the Governor-General had received a negative test result on Sunday but was awaiting the result of her day 8 test.
Just after 5pm, the spokesperson told Re: that Kiro's day 8 test came back negative.
Staff that travelled with Kiro were doing well, the spokesperson said.
The result of whole genome sequencing for this case has yet to be released but it was expected to indicate the case was infected with the Omicron variant, a statement, released on Saturday, from the prime minister's office said.
They were in Northland after being invited by the Waitangi National Trust to film at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for the Waitangi Day broadcast.
"The Prime Minister is asymptomatic and is feeling well. In line with Ministry of Health advice she will be tested immediately tomorrow and will isolate until Tuesday," the statement said.
"The Governor-General and members of her staff were also on board and are following the same isolation instructions."
Top Image: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wearing a mask. (File photo) Photo: Supplied
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