Green Party calls for ‘test to stay’ in schools, free RATs for all

The Green party is calling for “test to stay” in schools and early childhood education, and free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for all to protect vulnerable communities.

“Hundreds of our schools now have active COVID cases, and with close contacts no longer needing to isolate, there is a huge risk of infection to our vulnerable children and their whānau, especially the under 5s who cannot be vaccinated,” says Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, Green spokesperson for COVID-19 response.

“Test to stay has been used overseas to manage infections in schools as an alternative to isolating close contacts, so the Government must urgently introduce this at all schools across Aotearoa.

“At this stage in the pandemic, it’s well known that some people can be infected with COVID but not show symptoms, but RATs are only available for free to those with symptoms - if they are available at all.

“We need to urgently make RATs free to everyone, so that anyone can screen for COVID as we deal with this outbreak to prevent asymptomatic transmission in high-risk locations and to vulnerable people.”

“Whānau are rightfully concerned about sending their children to school. We must do everything we can to ensure our schools are safe at this time.

ENDS

Action

Protect Nature

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing Aotearoa. Volu...

Action

Save Auckland's Climate Budget

Sign the petition to stop Mayor Wayne Brown's proposal for dangerous cuts to climate and environmental programmes that protect us from extreme weat...

Action

No New Mines 2023

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Trains for Climate

Add your name to our open letter urging the Minister for Finance Grant Robertson to save our passenger trains between Wellington, the Wairarapa and...

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

It's time: A Ministry for Rainbow Communities

Join our call asking the Prime Minister to establish a Ministry for Rainbow Communities that can champion Rainbow issues.

Action

No new mines on conservation land

Sign the open letter asking Labour Ministers to stick to their promise of banning new mining projects on conservation land.

Action

Allow community ownership of our buses

Public transport is an essential service and helps to tackle the climate crisis by reducing our carbon emissions. But there are barriers to communi...

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Health Announcements

Story

Scrapping Māori Health Authority tramples over Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Green Party condemns the Government’s latest trashing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in rushing through legislation, without any public input, that wi...

Cruel move to put tobacco profit over people’s health

Sacrificing the health of our rangatahi to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy few is a deeply cynical move and shows this Government is more influenc...

Only the Green Party will deliver free dental care for all

With more Green MPs we can build on Labour’s announcement today and make dental care free for everyone.

Greens release dental stories collection

The Green Party has today released a collection of stories showing exactly why dental care should be free in Aotearoa.

Marama Davidson Free Dental for All Speech

Ata mārie and welcome.

Green Party promises free dental for all

The Green Party is today promising to make dental care free for everyone in Aotearoa.

Story

Time to get serious on delivering for families

The Green Party calls on the Government to get serious about supporting families.

Greens back striking teachers

The Green Party stands with ECE teachers striking for better funding and conditions.

Every party needs to step up on school lunches

Labour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up.

Free school lunches paid for with a wealth tax

The Green Party will expand free school lunches and pay for it with a fair tax system.

Greens back striking secondary teachers

The Green Party backs secondary teachers resuming strike action.

ECE extension Green win nearly 10 years in the making

The Green Party is today celebrating Budget 2023 funding extending free ECE to two year olds.

Story

Government gets it right on COVID settings

Maintaining the current COVID-19 isolation requirement is the right decision, the Green Party says.

Summer COVID plan needed

The Green Party has been left wondering if the Government signed off for the summer break before putting in place a COVID plan.

COVID inquiry disappointingly narrow

The Green Party welcomes a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic – but is disappointed with the narrow scope.

Lasting public health measures needed for COVID response ahead of future waves

Winding down COVID powers does nothing to change the fact that stronger public health measures are needed to protect our immunocompromised and disa...

Vital public health measures still missing from COVID response

Strong public health measures are more vital than ever, the Green Party says as the Government removes many longstanding COVID-19 restrictions.

Better long-term planning needed for COVID

COVID-19 is here to stay and so the Government needs to put in place long-term protection measures, including mandatory ventilation standards, the ...