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The Government now has the first ever clear and comprehensive picture of the state of New Zealand’s hospital buildings and other assets to help ensure future investment decisions deliver the best health outcomes for New Zealanders.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods, and Health Minister David Clark today announced a COVID-19 vaccine strategy, which will enable New Zealand scientists to contribute to global research efforts and explore the potential of vaccine manufacturing capability in New Zealand.

Parliament has today passed legislation to ensure that the Government can respond quickly, appropriately and efficiently to immigration issues arising from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Government has emphasised the significant risk of COVID-19 spreading at funerals and tangihanga as it expands the number of people allowed to attend at COVID-19 Alert Level 2.

Budget 2020 delivers the biggest ever increase in funding for District Health Boards, as well as additional funding to deliver approximately 153,000 more surgeries and procedures, radiology scans and specialist appointments to help clear the COVID-19 backlog. 

Three initiatives to support the health and disability workforce through accommodation, mental health support and access to specialist clinical advice on COVID-19 were announced on International Nurses Day today by Health Minister David Clark.

Budget 2020 will ensure New Zealanders continue to get the medicines they need, despite global pressure on supply chains, Health Minister David Clark says.

Work to progress recommendations from Dr Ayesha Verrall’s audit of New Zealand’s COVID-19 contact tracing processes is well underway which means the service will be well placed to handle any extra demand, should it be needed.

Organisations supporting vulnerable groups have received a boost to provide additional mental health and wellbeing support with Health Minister David Clark today announcing $3.5 million in funding.

A rapid stocktake of the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment to community providers has confirmed DHB processes for handling and filling orders are appropriate.

A Bill to temporarily amend immigration legislation to support the quick and efficient management of visa changes during COVID-19 is being introduced to Parliament tomorrow.

Minister of Health Dr David Clark has announced a Contact Tracing Assurance Committee (CTAC) to further strengthen oversight around a crucial piece of New Zealand's response to COVID-19. 

The roll out of free mental health and addiction services to 1.5 million New Zealanders is underway with 22 sites previously in operation and an additional investment of $40m to roll this out to over 100 new sites.

Workers at higher risk from COVID-19 are being supported through an expansion of the COVID-19 leave support scheme ahead of the move to Alert Level 3, say Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway and Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni.

The Minister of Health has ordered a rapid stocktake of PPE distribution to ensure that it is making it out from DHBs to frontline health services in a timely and appropriate way.

The Government has announced a major investment in the country’s contact tracing system to ensure we have a gold standard response to any future surge of COVID-19 cases.

The Government has again stepped up its support for the health response to COVID-19 with a $200 million investment in PPE as well as funding for residential aged care and medicines.

The Government is making further support available for Kiwis wanting to look after their mental wellbeing as a result of change and uncertainty from COVID-19. 

Across New Zealand 120 sites are taking samples to be tested for COVID-19.