The Ministry of Health has this afternoon confirmed positive COVID-19 test results for two mariners, who are currently isolating on a vessel at sea off the coast of Taranaki.
The mariners are part of a group of nine who arrived in Auckland on Monday before being transferred onto a deep sea fishing vessel in New Plymouth.
Health officials currently regard the situation as representing a low risk to public health due to standard infection prevention controls.
All nine provided negative COVID-19 pre-departure test results before travelling to New Zealand. Following these initial negative tests and their arrival in New Zealand, the mariners were tested again at an airport testing site in Auckland prior to transfer to the vessel at Port