An Auckland bus driver who drove for two mornings during rush hour has tested positive for COVID-19.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the Ritchies driver was on the Northern Express bus service for trips on September 3 and 4. There are no close contacts from the bus trips, and the driver wore a mask and gloves while working.
"However, as part of a precautionary approach, we are working with Auckland Transport to use HOP card data to identify people who were travelling on the buses the driver was on and we will notify them," Dr Bloomfield said on Wednesday.
"Passengers do not actually have to self-isolate but should, of course, be very aware of symptoms and seek testing if they develop any symptoms."
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) confirmed the driver didn't interact with passengers because they used the rear door to enter and exit the bus. It also said the case is connected to the Auckland clusters and the driver didn't contract COVID-19 while working.
Passengers were also seated at least two meters from the driver and there were no cash transactions - only HOP cards were used.
It said there were 319 passengers who travelled on this service across the two days between Hibiscus Coast and Auckland city centre.
"Anyone who travelled on the bus with the driver at these times is a casual contact, at low risk of developing the virus. They do not have to self-isolate, but they should get tested if they develop symptoms of COVID-19," ARPHS said.
"This case highlights the importance of all public transport passengers scanning the QR codes with the NZ COVID Tracer app in addition to swiping their AT HOP cards. This provides another way of alerting people when they may have been exposed to COVID-19, alongside the use of HOP card registration information."
Staff who drove the bus after the case have been asked to be tested, it said, and CCTV footage of the bus depot is being reviewed to see if any other staff members are close contacts.
Bus journeys
Thursday September 3
- 5:40am - Albany Station to Britomart (Lower Albert St) (5:40am - 6:06am)
- 6:15am - Britomart (Lower Albert St) to Hibiscus Coast Station (6:15am - 6:59am)
- 7:15am - Hibiscus Coast Station to Britomart (Lower Albert) AM Peak (7:15am - 8am)
- 8:42am - Hibiscus Coast Station to Britomart (Lower Albert) AM Peak (8:42am - 9:26am)
- 1:05pm - Hibiscus Coast Station to Britomart (Lower Albert St) (11:05am - 11:48am)
- 1:55pm - Britomart (Lower Albert St) to Albany Station (11:55am - 12:24pm)
- 2:30pm - Albany Station to Britomart (Lower Albert St) (12:30pm - 12:58pm)
- 4:04pm - Britomart (Lower Albert St) to Albany Station (4:04pm - 4:36pm)
- 4:43pm - Albany Station To Britomart (Lower Albert St) (4:43pm - 5:15pm)
- 5:37pm - Britomart (Lower Albert St) to Albany Station (5:37pm - 6:13pm)
Friday September 4
- 5:40am - Albany Station to Britomart (Lower Albert St) (5:40am - 6:06am)
- 6:15am - Britomart (Lower Albert St) to Hibiscus Coast Station (6:15am - 6:59am)
- 7:15am - Hibiscus Coast Station to Britomart (Lower Albert) AM Peak (7:15am - 8am)
- 8:42am - Hibiscus Coast Station to Britomart (Lower Albert) AM Peak (8:42am - 9:26am)
- 1:05pm - Hibiscus Coast Station to Britomart (Lower Albert St) (11:05am - 11:48am)
- 1:55pm - Britomart (Lower Albert St) to Albany Station (11:55am - 12:24pm)
- 2:30pm - Albany Station to Britomart (Lower Albert St) (12:30pm - 12:58pm)
- 4:04pm - Britomart (Lower Albert St) to Albany Station (4:04pm - 4:36pm)
- 4:43pm - Albany Station to Britomart (Lower Albert St) (4:43pm - 5:15pm)
- 5:37pm - Britomart (Lower Albert St) to Albany Station (5:37pm - 6:13pm)
