COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
| Level 1 | We are at Alert Level 1 from 22 September 2020 until further notice. More information about our Alert Level |
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
COVID-19 Information
The latest COVID-19 related health information can be found on the Ministry of Health (MoH) website www.health.govt.nz/covid-19
For information about the national response to COVID-19, go to www.uniteforrecovery.govt.nz/
- Latest advice: Symptoms, prevention, treatment, how it spreads & more (MoH)
- Current COVID-19 case numbers in New Zealand (MoH)
On this page:
- COVID-19 testing at Alert Level 1
- Visiting hospital at Alert Level 1
- Hospital Shuttle Bus / Park and Ride
- Hospital cafes at Alert Level 1
- COVID-19 case numbers in Canterbury
- When should I seek medical advice?
- Look after your wellbeing
- Be kind
- Protect yourself and others
- COVID-19 related media releases
COVID-19 testing - updated 18 November 2020
You can be tested for COVID-19 at your General Practice or at a community based testing centre (CBAC).
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 CBAC testing centre. You can drive-up or walk-in. Testing is free, unless you require a test for travel overseas (see below).
COVID-19 Community Based Testing Centres (CBACs) in Christchurch and Canterbury
- Orchard Road CBAC (near Airport), 174 Orchard Road, (Off Harewood Road), Christchurch. Open 9am-4pm, 7 days a week until further notice. (Walk-in/no referral required).
- Whānau Ora Community Clinic CBAC (Wainoni), 250 Pages Road, Wainoni, Christchurch. Open 9am-3:30pm, 7 days a week. (Walk-in/no referral required)
- Ashburton Hospital site CBAC - 28 Elizabeth Street, Ashburton hospital site, Open 10am-2pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only. (Walk-in/no referral required)
No on-demand or walk-in COVID-19 testing is being carried out at Christchurch Hospital.
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 under Alert Level 1 at Canterbury DHB hospitals and health centres
Under Alert Level 1 we have increased visitor access. Any restrictions we have in place are to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in an environment where many people are especially vulnerable. Thank you for continuing to help us keep people safe.
Please don’t visit hospital if you are unwell.
Mask guidance
Masks and face coverings are not compulsory but you’re welcome to wear one if you wish.
Physical distancing
It’s still worthwhile to keep a safe distance from people you don’t know while you’re out and about. This will help to minimise the spread of COVID-19 if community transmission returns.
Use the COVID-19 Tracer App
Please check in at the front door when you enter any of our buildings using the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Tracer App. This is to help you record where you have been and when. If you don’t have the app, make sure you keep a record of where you have been and who’ve you’ve seen.
Exceptions for people with disabilities
Under any Alert Levels 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 ensure equitable access to health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility is allowed in addition to that person’s permitted visitor/s
Christchurch Hospital - updated 22 September 2020
- Visiting hours are 11am to 1pm and 3pm to 8pm.
- Only one visitor at a time but it can be a different person each time.
- All people attending an outpatient appointment can have one support person with them.
- There can be more than one family member invited to attend a family meeting.
- Parents and caregivers can be present in paediatric areas as normal.
Christchurch Women’s Hospital/Rangiora Health Hub maternity/Lincoln Maternity/Ashburton Maternity - updated 22 September 2020
- Partners can visit from 8am to 10pm
- All other visiting is from 3pm until 8pm
Burwood Hospital - updated 22 September 2020
- Visiting is from 11am to 7pm daily
Specialist Mental Health Services at Hillmorton campus & The Princess Margaret Hospital site - updated 22 September 2020
- Visiting in most areas is 10am – 8pm daily.
- Please note, some units require prior contact.
Please refer to the specific page for the unit you wish to visit and check with the Charge Nurse Manager.
Ashburton Hospital - *no change to current arrangements - updated 22 September 2020
- Visiting is from 11am to 7pm daily
Tuarangi Home in Ashburton
Please do not visit if you are unwell as this puts our vulnerable elderly residents at risk
- No restrictions for visiting, however, we’d appreciate people limit how often they visit and the number of people visiting
- All visitors to use the COVID-19 Tracer App and QR Code Posters
- Sign in and out of the register with your contact details
- Follow infection prevention and control practices
- Maintain safe physical distancing, where possible.
Oxford Hospital, Darfield Hospital, Ellesmere Hospital, Waikari Hospital - updated 22 September 2020
To ensure the safety of patients, all of whom are aged over 65, visits to these facilities is by appointment.
- Please call to arrange a time for your visit
- Contact details for all visitors must be provided; use of the NZ Covid Tracer App and QR Code Posters is recommended
- A COVID-19 risk assessment of visitors will be completed before entering the facility to determine appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) approach.
- All visitors must follow hand hygiene and appropriate use of PPE as required based on risk assessment.
- Visit to occur with physical distancing from other residents
- There may be a separate entrance for visitors, please check with staff.
If you have a cough or are feeling unwell, please do not visit
Kaikoura Health Te Ha o te Ora - updated 22 September 2020
Visiting residents in our rest home
- Visiting hours are from 10am to 12 noon and 3pm to 8pm
- There are no restrictions, however, we do ask that you continue to enter via the door from the deck, ringing the doorbell to get the attention of staff.
- We ask that you 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 22 September 2020
At Alert Level 1:
- Shuttle passengers are asked to use the hand sanitiser upon entry to the shuttle.
- While it is not mandatory to wear masks or face coverings on public transport at Alert Level 1, it is recommended. We will not supply them, but you are encouraged to bring your own for the trip from the car park to your appointment.
- If you have Flu like symptoms please don’t use the shuttle.
About the shuttle service
The hospital shuttle service runs from the new Deans Avenue car park, stopping at both the Outpatients Building and the main entrance of Christchurch hospital.
- Shuttles run every 15 minutes from:
- Monday to Friday: Shuttles run every 15 minutes between 7.15am and 8.30pm
- Saturday and Sunday: Shuttle runs every 15 minutes between 11.00am and 8.00pm
- 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.
Starting on Monday 24 August - Hospital Shuttle Bus Route from Deans Ave Car Park
Cafes - updated 22 September 2020
All cafés located in DHB facilities are open as per usual hours. People are encouraged to maintain a safe physical distance from people they don’t know and to scan the QR code on the COVID Tracer App poster or if they don’t have the app, to keep a record of where they have been.
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.
Covid-19 case numbers by Territorial Authority in the Canterbury DHB region
| Ashburton District | Chatham Islands | Christchurch City | Hurunui District | Kaikōura District | Selwyn District | Waimakariri District | All Canterbury DHB | |
| Total cases (combined, confirmed and probable) |
3 |
0 |
124 |
3 |
4 |
13 |
17 |
164 |
Case numbers were last updated on 29 June 2020. This does not include cases in managed isolation and quarantine.
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 29 June 2020. Privacy statement: To protect the privacy of individuals we will not be providing any further information on individual cases.
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.
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, 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.
- 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 to ensure New Zealand citizens and residents returning home are screened as they enter the country, and aware of the need to self-isolate and understand what that entails. Self-isolation means avoiding situations where you could infect other people. People who have to self-isolate are also asked to register with Healthline's COVID-19 advice line by phoning 0800 358 5453.
Staff at airports and ports have information on hand that advises people what to look out for and what to do if they get symptoms.
Page last updated: 18 November 2020
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