Yes, the 'transit area' is the transit security check area. We spent about 30 minutes in there, lots of people, queuing closely. Once through there was plenty of space in the terminal & Pier was well spaced out.
No we didn't have the option of leaving the airport, once transit lane is chosen you're committed because you've skipped the PCR testing.
The boarding gate was just really badly organised. No separate lanes for tier & business & even though called forward first, every passenger just rushed fwd. Yes my wife (much politer than I) got stuck in the ensuing melee.
Agree it's not Zero covid BUT it's also very unsafe if reducing transmission is a stated aim.