Health Minister Chris Hipkins says he was blindsided by Covid-19 testing centres closing

There are reports they've been scaled down - with none open over the weekend.

Hipkins says he'll be speaking with officials in teh next few days.

He says there's clearly been a communication challenge that wasn't worked through well enough.

DHBs says under alert level one, community testing centres aren't required.

People needing a test should go to a GP or after hours clinic.