COVID-19 is still a risk this summer

COVID-19 is still in our communities and is a significant risk. Protect yourself, your whānau, and your community by getting immunised.

Additional COVID-19 boosters are available for everyone aged 30 and over, and those aged 16-29 who are pregnant or at higher risk of severe illness. People who are most likely to benefit from another COVID-19 booster in late 2023/early 2024 include: 

• Anyone aged 75 and older
• Māori and Pacific people aged 65 and older
• People aged 30 to 74 with significant complex health needs
• People aged 16 and older who are severely immunocompromised
• You need to wait six months between doses, and it’s recommended that you wait six months after your last COVID-19 infection.

If you get COVID-19 this summer

You or someone you’re travelling with could get COVID-19 while on holiday. If you test positive for COVID-19, here’s what to do:

• Monitor and manage your symptoms: people with COVID-19, especially if they are fully immunised and boosted, are likely to have a mild to moderate illness and can recover at home.  Symptoms for COVID-19 tend to show 2 to 5 days after a person has been infected.
• It is recommended you isolate for at least 5 days, even if you only have mild symptoms, starting at Day 0, the day your symptoms started or when you tested positive, whichever came first. This includes if you have had COVID-19 before.
• If you have taken a rapid antigen test (RAT), report your positive result online or by calling the helpline.
• Online: My Covid Record 
• Call: 0800 222 478
• It’s a good idea to have a plan for how you can look after yourself during your isolation period as well as keep others safe, especially if you are isolating at a place away from home.
• For more information on COVID-19 please visit: info.health.nz
• You should wear a mask whenever you leave the house during your recommended 5-day isolation - it is very important you take precautions to prevent spreading COVID-19 to others.
• You should not visit a healthcare facility (except to access medical care), or an aged residential care facility, or have contact with anyone at risk of getting seriously unwell with COVID-19.
• If you have COVID-19 and need to go to a medical facility for care, then you should wear a mask to protect others. Please ring ahead to tell the facility you are coming, if possible.
• Some people can still be infectious after 5 days. If you are still unwell after you have completed 5 days of isolation, it is recommended that you continue to stay home until you are recovered.

If you are a household contact

If you are a household contact of someone with COVID-19, you do not need to isolate, however, we recommend you do a RAT each day for 5 days.

Call 0800 358 54 53 for free COVID-19 health advice, any time, any day, even on Christmas Day. Interpreter support is available. A dedicated COVID-19 disability helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call free on 0800 11 12 13 or text 8988 for help or information about vaccines, testing and managing COVID-19 at home. Access this helpline using the NZ Relay Service for assistance (more information at www.nzrelay.co.nz).

If you do need to go to a medical care facility as a visitor, you may be asked to wear a face mask to protect those at higher risk, for example intensive care or ED patients, or seniors in Residential Care. To protect those at higher risk, please respect and follow the healthcare facility’s policies.

Make sure you have a supply of RATs

• Get ready now and make sure you have enough RATs to test everyone in your whānau over the holidays, if you need to.  Pack some in your travel bags before you head away.
• Free RATs remain available for pick up from participating RAT collection centres until 29 February 2024. To find a collection centre near you, visit www.healthpoint.co.nz or call free on 0800 222 478 and choose option 1. Make sure to check location opening hours, which may differ over summer.
• If you live rurally, have a disability, are immunocompromised or experience challenges collecting RATs yourself, you can call 0800 222 478 to check if you are eligible for a RAT delivery service.
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms and need to visit your healthcare provider for an in-person appointment, please complete a RAT first.

Antiviral medicines

• Find out if you are eligible for free antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19.
• COVID-19 antiviral medicines can help people who are at risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19. These medicines are free for anyone who is eligible.
• You must start taking them within 5 days of becoming unwell. Find out more about eligibility and more information on COVID-19 antiviral medicines at: info.health.nz
• You can also talk to your doctor, pharmacist or hauora provider if you think that you, or a member of your whānau, may be eligible for antiviral medicines.

Visiting our hospitals

• Please visit during our visiting hours (2-8pm for wards; for a full list click here)
• Please don’t visit if you’re feeling unwell. Patients have access to free Wi-Fi thanks to PRIMO; stay at home and connect with your loved ones in hospital via technology if you can.
• Got an appointment but you’re feeling unwell? Please call to reschedule for when you’re feeling better.
• All visitors are encouraged to sanitise your hands and wear a face mask when in our buildings.
• Entrances to Taranaki Base Hospital main building are available at:
• The main entrance by the Emergency Department
• The red path entrance from the main car park (accessed via Lyn Street)
• Tukapa Street entrance (by Oncology)
• The Maternity entrance (accessed via David Street)
• See the Taranaki Base Hospital map to locate these entrances.
• For information on walk-in vaccination centres (COVID-19, antenatal and childhood vaccinations) in Taranaki, click here.
• For information on COVID-19 testing centres in Taranaki, click here

Need to get a COVID-19 vaccination?

You can make an appointment here

Book online

Call 0800 28 29 26

Or you can just walk in for vaccinations for people aged five and over; click here to find a vaccination clinic near you.
Bookings are required for children aged six months to four years (eligibility criteria applies). Click here to see clinic times.

If you would like to access the Novavax vaccine (available for people aged 12 and over), please book through BookMyVaccine.nz.