The Ministry of Health is strongly encouraging people in self-isolation, as a result of their travel to China, to
register with Healthline. They do this by calling the dedicated Healthline 0800 number from 5.00pm today (Friday 7
February 2020). Healthline will register people and regularly check on their welfare and wellbeing while in
self-isolation.
Since 6 January 2020 the National Telehealth Service, which provides the Healthline service, has been working with the
Ministry of Health to support the novel coronavirus response and to support those impacted and concerned. People have
been directed to Healthline for advice and information.
Healthline is funded by the Ministry of Health and is part of the National Telehealth Service. CEO of the National
Telehealth Service Andrew Slater said today “In previous years at this time of year we would talk to around 900 people a
day in Healthline – this year we are taking close to 1,100 calls a day from people who have concerns about novel
coronavirus or flu-like symptoms. That’s a 22% increase.”
“Since 30 January 2020 we have spoken to 1,175 people who have called us specifically to discuss novel coronavirus. Our
busiest day was Monday 3 February. At this stage no one we have spoken to has met the Ministry of Health clinical
criteria for a novel coronavirus test and been advised to visit a medical practitioner.”
“In addition, over the last two days nearly 300 people have downloaded our novel coronavirus health resources available
online in Simplified Chinese and English.”
“As we saw enquiries grow and had a better understanding of the questions and concerns people had, we established a
dedicated Healthline 0800 number for novel coronavirus health advice and information, to ensure people were able to have
their novel coronavirus questions answered even faster.”
That number is 0800 358 5453 – it is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (from international SIMs people can call +64 9 358 5453). People calling that line will be able to talk with a member of the National Telehealth Service. They have access to
interpreters.
Healthline’s main number is still the one to call for non-novel coronavirus health concerns (0800 611 116). Whichever
number you call, you will get professional health advice and information.
Advice about self-isolation:
Self-isolation means avoiding situations where you could infect other people. This means all situations where you may
come in contact with others, such as social gatherings, work, school, child care/pre-school centres, university,
faith-based gatherings, aged care and health care facilities, prisons, sports gatherings, supermarkets, restaurants,
shopping malls, and all public gatherings.
If you are a visitor to New Zealand, this means you should avoid sitting in a restaurant, participating in any type of
tour group, or using public transport, including flights, buses, and trains between cities in New Zealand [source: https://www.health.govt.nz/].