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<\/p>\nSome of the next steps in the Government’s response to the Omicron outbreak are expected to be revealed this afternoon at the Beehive.<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson will speak after controversies emerged over rapid antigen kits (RATs) and pregnant, stranded journalist Charlotte Bellis.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended Cabinet by remote technology after being deemed a close contact of a Covid-19 case and told to isolate till the end of the day.<\/p>\n
A possible reopening plan for international borders was expected to be discussed in Cabinet, after 126 new community Covid-19 cases were reported nationwide.<\/p>\n
Four days before Christmas, the phased border reopening was postponed, with Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins saying it would be pushed out to the end of February.<\/p>\n
The arrival of the relatively mild but highly infectious Omicron strain disrupted earlier reopening plans.<\/p>\n
Opposition parties in recent weeks have attacked the government over a perceived dearth of RAT kits, and authorities have been under pressure to secure more of the tests.<\/p>\n
Some businesses have accused the Government of effectively seizing rapid test kits destined for the private sector but the Government has rejected these claims.<\/p>\n
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Today’s Cabinet meeting also comes after the Herald revealed new plans were underway to secure various rapid tests for critical workers such as freight truck drivers.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Charlotte Bellis’ lawyer claimed Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins breached the journalist’s privacy by sharing personal details in a statement.<\/p>\n
Bellis is pregnant and in Afghanistan, where she and her Belgian partner have been seeking to return to New Zealand for the birth through an emergency MIQ spot.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Hipkins issued a statement disputing many of Bellis’ claims around her applications.<\/p>\n
He said officials told Bellis to reapply with a shorter travel timeframe and under another category that meant there was serious risk to their safety in Afghanistan, Hipkins said.<\/p>\n
Lawyer Tudor Clee said Hipkins breached Bellis’ privacy by sharing details the expectant mum had not consented to being made public.<\/p>\n
Act Party leader David Seymour called on the minister to apologise.<\/p>\n
“It’s entirely unacceptable for a minister of the Crown to release private details without permission, especially when they’re wrong, just to save face,” Seymour said.<\/p>\n
National Covid-19 spokesman Chris Bishop said Hipkins was “gaslighting” Bellis.<\/p>\n
It was not immediately clear if Cabinet would make any changes to MIQ, which has been another major topic of debate lately.<\/p>\n
Scrapping MIQ for overseas arrivals during an Omicron surge would free up resources badly needed elsewhere, according to a report from Auckland DHBs.<\/p>\n
Robertson is expected to start a press conference at about 4pm.<\/p>\n
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