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Religious beliefs a factor in authorities issues with Mt Roskill cluster

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 9 Sep 2020, 6:57PM
Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship. (Photo / NZ Herald)
Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship. (Photo / NZ Herald)

Religious beliefs a factor in authorities issues with Mt Roskill cluster

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 9 Sep 2020, 6:57PM

Concerns have being raised around whether members of the Mt Roskill's Evangelical Fellowship church will get tested again.

There are six new cases of Covid-19 today, all linked to the Mt Roskill church sub-cluster.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says most people in the fellowship have been tested for Covid-19, but he's asking them all to get another test as cases are still emerging within the group.

He says anyone who has had contact with members of the fellowship, through work or socially, should be tested as a precautionary measure -even if they have no symptoms.

He says people should be tested even if they aren't showing any symptoms.

Auckland councillor Efeso Collins told Heather Du Plessis-Allan the Ministry of Health reassured these communities about the follow on effect of being tested.

"There are a lot of people who would have seen what happened out in South Auckland with that Pacific Island family, so they will be weary of the online impacts they will probably be getting."

He says that he has been in contact with friends and family who know people in the church, and they are keeping quiet. 

Collins says that the church is hyper-Pentecostal with a lot of young Maori and Pacific people.

"A lot of them are saying that they are really unhappy with how the Government has handled everything, and we just want to keep our distance."

Those views are not necessarily about Covid-19, Collins says, but factors like abortion legislation and gay marriage has left many Pentecostal churches feeling marginalised.

"As a result of that, the Pacific people are well known for the way they are compliant with any instruction they are given. So if your Pastor or church leader is up front saying we should decline to listen to the Government, then the church is going to follow suit." 

Earlier, Health Minister Chris Hipkins says Police are now helping health authorities in the community. However, Collins says that will have a negative impact. 

"By sending in the Police, who have traditionally had poor relationship with Maori and Pacific communities, you are only going to heighten people's awareness and create a sense of angst."

He thinks they should send in Whanau Ora negotiators who speak the language and know the community better. 

A baby boy and three other children are among the latest cases.

Two positive cases reported yesterday - a student from St Dominic's Catholic School and a bus driver for the Northern Express bus service - are also part of the sub-cluster.

The total number of cases linked to the church is now 43, with a smaller cluster of 14 within that, linked to a bereavement.

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