Hawke's Bay firefighters return to duty after Auckland motorist returns negative Covid-19 test
Four Hawke's Bay firefighters have returned to duty after the Auckland motorist whom they came into contact with at the scene of an early-morning crash, returned a negative Covid-19 test.
The motorist, an essential worker from Alert Level 4 Auckland, was carrying out "permitted travel" when they passed the scene of a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 5 (Napier-Taupo Road) at 12.30am and assisted emergency services.
While police along with Napier and Bay View crews responded to the "minor" crash, it was only the Bayview Volunteer Firefighters who came into close contact.
A police spokeswoman said the car crashed into a bank on the side of the road and the sole occupant received minor injuries.
She said all Covid-19 protocols were followed by police staff and the people involved in the crash.
"Having considered all of the circumstances, no Police staff were required to self-isolate."
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Area Manager Ken Cooper said as a precaution, the Auckland motorist was tested for Covid-19, as were the firefighters, and they went into self-isolation until they received the result, which this afternoon came back as negative.
"We informed our brigade members that they can come out of self-isolation and return to duty and normal life."
There was no information to suggest the essential worker had been identified as a positive Covid-19 case or even a close contact, but Cooper said they took an "extremely cautious" approach.
"However, on this occasion, we were unaware that this person had travelled from Auckland so it just heightened the potential risk to exposure. It was highly precautionary and I think our people know that and accept that in their role there is a potential risk," Cooper said
A deep clean of the fire station and a fire appliance was also undertaken.
Like other emergency services, Cooper said they had "really robust protocols" in place.
Now, when they attend an incident, they will undertake what is called "Covid-19 questioning" where they ask the patient or family members a series of questions to establish if there's a "risk" to the first responders.
That, along with the personal protective equipment (PPE) they wear, means the risk is "very minimal".
He said it was an important reminder to everyone that the risk of Covid-19 is still there, and they needed to keep vigilant.
Alongside PPE, FENZ offered their staff the opportunity to get vaccinated.
"There are a lot of things in place but there is a risk so it is important to keep vigilant and follow Covid-19 protocols."
