A Christchurch supermarket has been closed after it was visited by a man who later tested positive for Covid-19, when he arrived in South Korea.

The Countdown at Spitfire Square, near Christchurch Airport is now undergoing a deeper clean than usual.

Spokeswoman Kiri Hannifin says it is a precaution after Canterbury District Health Board contacted the company in relation to the person who tested positive in South Korea.

She said “we were contacted by the Canterbury DHB in relation to the movements of a person they are contact tracing.”

“Our store is thoroughly cleaned each day, but as is our process, we have closed it as a precaution to undertake a deeper clean today.”

It has been more than a week since the person went through the store.

It is expected the store will reopen tomorrow morning.

A Ministry of Health spokeswoman said the the supermarket did not need to close because the risk is considered low.

Meanwhile, health officials have exchanged information with counterparts over the traveller who recently tested positive upon arrival in South Korea.

The Ministry of health says there is no evidence of any transmission in New Zealand involving this case. 

The individual left Christchurch on 21 July and arrived in South Korea on 22 July after transiting through Singapore.

The person was asymptomatic but returned a positive test on arrival.

After leaving New Zealand, they spent 14 hours and 20 minutes in a transit lounge at Changi Airport, along with people who had travelled from other parts of the world.

Authorities in South Korea have previously informed the Ministry of Health in New Zealand that, based on their initial investigations, they suspect the traveller was infected with COVID-19 while in transit in Singapore.

Officials are seeking information from South Korea about the results of any follow up testing of this individual.

The Ministry of Health says other causes, including infection in New Zealand, can’t be ruled out at this point, so a number of domestic actions have been initiated as precautionary measures. These include:

• making contact with all passengers on the domestic flight this person was on, with those who were in the two rows around the traveller being asked to self-isolate and be tested

• asking the traveller’s household contacts to self-isolate and be tested; and

• following up the individual’s movements while they were in New Zealand.

This case emphasises the importance of people keeping track of their movements so they can be contacted swiftly if contract tracing becomes necessary.

Anyone concerned about their health as a result of this update can call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.