There are conflicting messages about the bus drivers who transport returning Kiwis from the airport to isolation hotels.
The head of managed isolation and quarantine, Air Commodore Darryn Webb, says the drivers don't have to wear masks while on the road.
But a leading epidemiologist says that makes no sense and the government agency overseeing quarantine, which Webb reports to, also says masks should be worn by drivers at all times.
Just last Saturday, in the middle of Auckland's recent outbreak, returnees boarded a bus at Auckland airport on the way to the Ibis Hotel in Rotorua.
But while on the road, for most of the trip, a returnee says the driver didn't wear a mask.
"The driver not wearing a mask is probably the most scary thing, because we don't know who else he's been driving around," he tells Newshub.
"We were astounded by it. I can't say anything more than that. We were astounded by it."
But the man in charge of managed isolation isn't worried, saying Government policy allows it.
"If they are driving with two seats separated behind them, there is no current requirement for PPE to be worn during that process," says Air Commodore Webb.
There were two rows of separation on the bus, so the driver followed the rules according to Webb.
"If the bus driver is not wearing a mask during the driving of the bus, that's in accordance with current guidelines," Webb says.
This is where it gets confusing, because the organisation that Webb reports to - MBIE - says the complete opposite.
It told Newshub: "Social distancing is requested and they (bus drivers) are asked to wear masks throughout."
That applies even after returnees have done their two weeks, with MBIE saying "its transport provider has instructed all drivers that masks should be worn even when transporting returnees after they have completed their 14-day isolation period".
Otago Uni Department of Public Health professor Michael Baker says like on board planes, droplets can still be spread on a bus if someone sneezes and caution should be exercised.
"From a disease control point of view, these are the most dangerous buses in New Zealand at the moment because they have potentially infected and infectious people onboard," he says.
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Masks must be worn by drivers when loading bags, or when returnees get on or off.
But Prof Baker says having rules that stipulate drivers wear masks at different times is not sensible, as it means strict hand washing protocols must be observed, and infection could occur from the mask if it wasn't handled correctly when taken off.
"Taking the mask on and off is just not acceptable. I mean that actually does expose that driver to a risk," he says.
"I think it is a problem. I think they should be wearing masks for the entire shift."
He says as masks are now a key control measure, their use should be compulsory and integrated into our various alert levels.
