COVID-19 Vaccinations

COVID-19 testing - updated 17 November 2021

You can be tested for COVID-19 at your General Practice or at a community based testing centre (CBTC). You should contact your GP first if you are unwell and they will likely be able to offer you testing. If this is not available you can attend a testing centre instead. You will only be tested for COVID-19 at a testing centre – they won’t do a health assessment, so it is important that if you are unwell and need to see a doctor or be assessed, you should contact your GP team as normal.

You do not need a referral to attend a CBTC testing centre. You can drive-up or walk-in. Please wear a mask when you come to any testing centre. Testing is free, unless you require a test for travel overseas (see below). 

COVID-19 Community Based Testing Centres in Christchurch and Canterbury

• Orchard Road CBTC (near Airport), 174 Orchard Road, (Off Harewood Road), Christchurch. Open 9am-4pm, (or later if demand requires), 7 days a week until further notice. (Walk-in/no referral required).
• Whānau Ora Community Clinic CBTC (Wainoni), 250 Pages Road, Wainoni, Christchurch. Open 9am-3:30pm, (or later if demand requires), 7 days a week. (Walk-in/no referral required)
• Ashburton Hospital site CBTC – 28 Elizabeth Street, Ashburton hospital site. Open 10am-2pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. *Note: please enter via Driveway D, not the main entrance to the hospital. While this is a Drive In testing facility, and people arriving in cars is preferred, walk-ins can be accommodated.  

No on-demand or walk-in COVID-19 testing is being carried out at Christchurch Hospital.

Tests at a General Practice 

Please refer to the Healthpoint website for details about general practices offering COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

Getting a COVID-19 test before travelling overseas

If you require a test before travel overseas you need to contact your General Practice or an Urgent care facility to book an appointment for this. You need to book the test within the timeframe required by the country you are travelling to (usually 3-5 days before travel) and with enough time for the result to come back (usually 48 hours). You will be charged for this test. Costs may vary. The testing centres are not able to perform travel tests because they are unable to take payment onsite.

More information about COVID-19 testing is available on the Unite Against COVID-19 website  

Visiting Canterbury DHB hospitals and health centres under Delta Alert Level 2 - updated 4 November 2021

Visitor restrictions effective from midnight Thursday 4 November

Under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 visitor access for all Canterbury DHB health facilities are restricted, but those restrictions have been eased. Please remember, limiting our interactions with others is our best defence against COVID-19. Please don’t visit the hospital if you don’t need to.

The following visitor restrictions are in place for all Canterbury DHB hospitals and health facilities:

• All visitors need to scan in using the COVID-19 Tracer App or sign in on arrival and provide their contact details.
• If you’re using the COVID-19 Tracer App, please ensure Bluetooth tracing is turned on.
• All visitors must wear a mask or fabric face covering – please bring your own.
• All visitors are expected to practice safe physical distancing. You should remain two metres away from people you don’t know.
• Everyone, including visitors should practise good hand hygiene.
• Visitors who are unwell should not be entering our facilities.

Exceptions for people with disabilities

Under any Alert Level where visitor restrictions are in place, an exception will be made for people with disabilities who are in hospital or have to attend an outpatient appointment – where they need a support person to access health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility. The support person is in addition to permitted visitor/s.

Exemption card for face coverings

We know that some people who have a disability or health condition may not be able to wear a face covering safely or comfortably. If you cannot wear one, you can get an exemption card. Please display or show your exemption card when asked in one of our facilities. 

You can request a card from the Disabled Persons Assembly NZ by contacting them
on 04 801 9100 or at info@dpa.org.nz

Christchurch Hospital – updated 4 November 2021

• Visiting hours for Christchurch Hospital are from 11am – 1pm and 3pm – 8pm, with only one person visiting at a time
• Exceptions: Charge Nurse Managers can assess requests on a case by case basis. For example, exceptions will be considered on compassionate grounds including for end of life care
• Emergency Department – one support person only to accompany someone presenting to ED
• For children:
  • Paediatric Wards and this includes CHOC – two caregivers can accompany their child.
• Anyone with planned/elective surgery or an outpatient appointment should turn up as planned – if there’s any change to your appointment we’ll contact you directly.

Christchurch Outpatients – updated 4 November 2021

Due to the ongoing need to maintain physical distancing, support people will only be allowed in outpatients by exception. If you need a support person with you at your appointment, please call the number on your outpatient appointment letter to arrange this. Note: some outpatient appointments will continue to be carried out ‘virtually’ either over the phone, or by a video/Zoom call.

Christchurch Women’s Hospital/Rangiora Health Hub maternity/Lincoln Maternity/Ashburton Maternity – updated 4 November 2021

*Note: St Georges Maternity Unit is following the same guidelines.

• Acute Assessment – one support person only to accompany someone presenting for acute assessment
• Women in labour in a maternity facility are allowed two support partners for the duration of the labour and birth
• Women who are having an elective caesarean section are allowed one support person
• For the duration of their postnatal stay a woman can have one named support person who will be able to visit.
  Siblings of the new baby may accompany this person as long as they are well.
• All visitors to our maternity facilities must scan or sign in each time they visit.
• Outpatient appointments (including Fetal Maternal Medicine) – a support person will only be permitted under specific criteria – e.g. a person’s carer/support person is required to be with them due to complex needs/diagnosis/or clinical procedures.

Burwood Hospital – updated 4 November 2021

The visiting hours at Burwood Hospital are 11am-7pm with only one person visiting at a time for each patient.

• Only one support person can attend with a patient for outpatient appointments and planned/elective surgery.
• Exceptions: Charge Nurse Managers can assess requests on a case by case basis. For example, exceptions will be considered on compassionate grounds including for end of life care. Please contact the Charge Nurse Manager to discuss, or the Duty Nurse Manager after hours.

Specialist Mental Health Services at Hillmorton campus & The Princess Margaret Hospital site – updated 4 November 2021

• One person may visit once per day during Hillmorton Hospital and The Princess Margaret Hospital visiting hours.
• One support person per outpatient.
• Additional people will be considered by the Clinical/Charge Nurse Manager or Duty Nurse Manager (after hours). This must be by prior arrangement to ensure that we can meet physical distancing requirements.

Ashburton Hospital – updated 4 November 2021

From 4 November 2021 visiting hours at Ashburton Hospital are as normal, but:

• One visitor at a time - although more than one person can visit each day.
• One support person per outpatient.
• One support person to accompany someone to the Ashburton Acute Assessment Unit

Exceptions: Nurse Managers can assess requests on a case by case basis.

Age-Related Residential Care facilities managed by Canterbury DHB: Oxford Hospital, Darfield Hospital, Ellesmere Hospital, Waikari Hospital, Tuarangi Home Ashburton – updated 4 November 2021

To ensure the safety of patients, all of whom are aged over 65, visitors to the Aged Residential Care part of these facilities are only allowed by prior appointment.

Please contact the facility to discuss with the manager. There may be a separate entrance for visitors, please check with staff.

Kaikoura Health Te Ha o te Ora Visitors for Acute Patients - updated 4 November 2021:

• Visiting Hours 10am to 12 noon and 3pm to 6pm for next two weeks and to be reviewed.
• Maximum of 2 designated visitors per patient, with only one designated visitor attending at a time.
• Visits no longer than 30 minutes
• Visitors are asked to bring their own mask or face covering.
• Visitors are required to visit in the patient room; not to visit with any other patients and to maintain physical distancing – 2 metres away from people you don’t know and one metre away from people you know.

Exceptions:

Exceptions will be considered on compassionate grounds for end of life care, they will any additional visits as approved by the Nurse Manager/Clinical Director.

Visiting for residents in Age Related Residential Care (Rest Home) Facilities at Kaikoura Health - updated 4 November 2021

• Visiting hours are from 10am to 12 noon and 3pm to 6pm
• Two designated visitors per resident, with only one designated visitor attending at a time, and all visits are to occur in the resident’s room
• Please bring a mask to wear if you will be within two metres of residents
• We ask that you continue to enter via the door from the deck, ringing the doorbell to get the attention of staff.
• Please sign in and out in our Visitors book for each visit.
• Please do not visit if you are unwell as this puts our vulnerable elderly patients at risk.

Park and Ride - updated 4 November 2021

At Delta Alert Level 2:

• If you are unwell please don’t use the shuttle.
• Shuttle passengers are asked to use the hand sanitiser upon entry to the shuttle.
• Please scan the QR code if you have the NZ COVID Tracer App on your phone.
• The number of seats available on the shuttle will be limited to 10. The front passenger seat must remain empty.
• It is mandatory to wear masks or face coverings on public transport at Delta Alert Level 2, with some exceptions to face covering requirements. You are encouraged to bring your own mask or face covering for the trip from the car park to your appointment.

Hospital Shuttle Bus from Deans Ave Car Park

The hospital shuttle service runs from the Deans Avenue car park, stopping at Waipapa building Emergency Department entrance, Christchurch Outpatients Building, and the main entrance of Christchurch Hospital.

Shuttles run every 15 minutes from:

• Monday to Friday: Shuttles run every 15 minutes between 6.15am and 8.30pm.
• Saturday and Sunday: Shuttle runs every 15 minutes between 11.00am and 8.00pm.
• The shuttle is for users of the Deans Ave Car Park. Please show the driver your ticket if requested.
• Please note, there is a mandatory break between 2.30pm and 3.15pm on the weekends for our drivers, so no shuttle will operate at this time.

Hospital Shuttle Bus Route from Deans Ave Car Park

Cafes - updated 4 November 2021

Infection prevention and control

Our Infection Prevention and Control team continues to advise staff across the health system on ways to control the potential spread of infection, including enhanced cleaning protocols, isolation procedures and the correct use of personal protective equipment.

What can you do?

Look after your wellbeing

• If you or someone you know needs wellbeing support or advice, call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor. This confidential service is free of charge and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There’s useful and practical information available for those at home in isolation on the government’s website Unite Against COVID-19 website
• Try not to increase habits such as smoking, as smoking can make you more susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19, such as pneumonia. If you are considering giving up smoking, even just temporarily, now would be a good opportunity. Te Hā – Waitaha offers free stop smoking support to anyone in Canterbury by phone or online. Visit www.stopsmokingcanterbury.org.nz for more information.
• There is are a wide range of information and tools to support your own and others’ mental wellbeing and information on where to get help if you need it. The Ministry of Health website lists apps, websites and helplines where you can speak to someone about a range of health issues.  

Be kind

• Canterbury has been through a lot, and we will get through this too. We’re stronger together. There’s a lot you can do to help yourself, your friends, family and community during this time. The Ministry of Health website has links to a wide range of online tools and resources to support wellbeing. Some are specifically designed for children, or young people and there are others which are helpful for everyone. If you or those around you are concerned about how you’re feeling or your wellbeing, there is information and tools available to help you feel mentally well and get through.
• Sparklers is a resource for teachers and parents with fun activities to promote children’s wellbeing. There are also some fantastic resources available from the All Right? team and the Mental Health Foundation as part of their ‘Getting through together’ initiative.

Protect yourself and others

• Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds). Then dry thoroughly.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues. Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

COVID-19 related media releases

About COVID-19

COVID-19 (formerly known as novel coronavirus) is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person to person through droplets. It has spread to every continent except Antarctica and over 170 countries and territories have laboratory-confirmed cases.

It appears that most cases identified to date have mild to moderate illness. In severe cases, though, the virus can cause pneumonia and severe acute respiratory infection.

When should I seek medical advice?

If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.

More information about accessing healthcare can be found on www.uniteforrecovery.govt.nz

New Zealand citizens and residents returning home

Public health staff are working with border agencies, hotel staff and Canterbury nurses to ensure New Zealand citizens and residents returning home are supported through their compulsory 14 days in managed isolation, have good information and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to stay well and minimise the risk of spreading or catching COVID-19.

Visit  Unite Against COVID-19 - Travel and the border for more information.

Covid-19 case numbers by Territorial Authority in the Canterbury DHB region 

Note: Covid-19 case numbers below were last updated on 22 November 2021. The case numbers below do not include current cases in managed isolation and quarantine in Canterbury, these cases can be found on the MoH Website).

Map showing total Covid-19 case numbers (combined confirmed and probable) by Territorial Authority in the Canterbury DHB region. This map will only be updated if there is a change to case numbers.

Case numbers were last updated on 2 November 2021. Privacy statement: To protect the privacy of individuals we will not be providing any further information on individual cases.