Nearly 6000 people with links to the Port of Tauranga have been ordered to be tested for COVID-19.

The port and maritime community is being targeted for testing to rule it out as a source of the virus, following confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Auckland and Tokoroa.

Everyone who has been at the Port of Tauranga since 11.59pm, Tuesday, July 21 2020 is now required by law to get a test for COVID-19.

This includes everyone who has worked at the port, including shipping agents, stevedores, drivers picking up or delivering cargo, contractors, suppliers of goods and services, classification societies, government agency employees and any crew members who may have come ashore.

The Minister of Health made an order under section 11 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 in accordance with sections 9 and 14(3) of that Act on Friday. That order came into force at 11.59 last night.

The purpose of the order is to prevent, and limit the risk of, the outbreak or spread of COVID-19 by requiring medical examination and testing for COVID-19, by no later than 11.59 pm on August 17 2020, of persons who, since 11.59 pm on July 21 2020, have carried out any work at a managed isolation or quarantine facility – MIQF, or at an affected port, or transporting to or from and MIQF of anybody required to be in isolation or quarantine under the Air Border Order or the Maritime Border Order.

Port of Tauranga chief executive, Mark Cairns, says the Port is working with the local Bay of Plenty District Health Board to provide testing facilities on site.

"As this order is likely to affect up to 6,000 people, it will take some time for us to work through the logistics. We are grateful for port users' patience and understanding and will share more information as soon as we can,” says Mark.