The Ministry of Health warns an Omicron case has been active in the community - including visiting multiple locations in Auckland's CBD.
The person, who is fully vaccinated, had previously returned three negative tests for COVID-19 while completing their seven days of managed isolation at a facility in Auckland. They were then allowed to leave to complete their final three days in self-isolation.
However the Ministry of Health told Newshub the person "did not wait for a negative test result" before leaving self-isolation.
They went on to visit several places including a popular nightclub, bar and restaurant before returning a positive result on day nine.
"The result of their day nine test was received on December 27 and they were immediately transferred to an Auckland MIQ facility on the same day. At this point whole genome sequencing was carried out and confirmed the Omicron variant," a MoH spokesperson says.
"A number of close contacts have been identified and those tested have returned negative test result for COVID-19. They are currently isolating. Public Health are in the process of identifying and contacting all other known close contacts, and ensuring they also isolate and get tested."
The individual was in the Auckland CBD on December 26 and 27. The locations of interest include:
"We are taking this situation seriously and taking a precautionary approach. However, we do not believe that the individual was highly infectious at the time of the above exposure events," the MoH spokesperson says.
Aucklanders are asked to check the locations of interest website regularly and follow the advice provided.
"If you have symptoms of COVID-19 please get a test immediately and if you were at any of these venues contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
"Any further locations of interest will be added to the Ministry of Health's website if necessary."
