The country is preparing to move to the new traffic light system this week, and PM Jacinda Ardern announced the changes set to come at today’s Covid media conference.
Auckland, together with Northland, Taupō and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu Districts will move straight to Red.
The rest of Aotearoa will shift to Orange. The traffic light system will come into effect on Thursday 2 December, 11:59pm and be reviewed again in two weeks time, and once more on January 17.
“The certainty and stability of the traffic lights replaces the sudden lockdowns and restrictions of Alert Levels,” Ardern told reporters.
“Our schools will stay open at every colour and businesses will have protection through My Vaccine Passes to keep operating.
“Vaccinated New Zealanders using vaccine passes will be able to do many of the things that were previously treated as high risk like safely going to bars and restaurants, getting a haircut, and going to a concert or the gym. In Auckland, it means seeing friends and family indoors again.
There will be no new restriction on travel between regions, however the Auckland boundary is still in place and will be lifted on January 17.
What does the traffic light system mean for you? Check out the brief explainers below:
RED:
You will be legally required to provide your My Vaccine Pass to enter places that have vaccination requirements in place under the traffic light system. This may include hospitality venues, events, gatherings and gyms.
You cannot be asked to provide your My Vaccine Pass to access basic needs services, such as supermarkets, public transport, and essential health care.
At Orange, people can continue to do everyday activities. There are restrictions to limit the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable people. But you can go to work, school, gyms, church, restaurants, and many more places.
Most businesses can open with no restrictions on numbers if they choose to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, and only allow fully vaccinated people to enter.
If they choose not to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, there will be limits on the number of people who can be in a venue at one time.
“We are not moving any regions to Green immediately while we continue to get vaccination rates up and transition the country to the new framework,” Ardern said.
To see a full explanation of the traffic light system, visit the Covid website.
