National says the Government's new close contact exemption scheme has too many barriers. 

In phase two of our Omicron response, critical business workers found to be close contacts won't need to isolate, if they return negative rapid antigen tests. 

But companies wishing to sign up, will still need to meet certain criteria. 

National's Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop told Kate Hawkesby RATs should be available to everyone. 

“It’s hard to imagine a more bureaucratically inept system that the Government could design, it’s classic Labour. I just don’t understand why we’re making it so difficult. Everyone acknowledges we need rapid antigen tests.” 

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