Our plan moving forward for COVID19 what you need to know
There will be a 90% target of vaccination rates for each District Health Board. When each DHB reaches this target the nation will move into a new COVID19 protection framework - the traffic light system
Vaccine certificates will come into effect - you will need to be vaccinated if you want to enjoy the sorts of freedoms you want / for business they will have greater certainty by being able to open and remain open
The COVID-19 Protection Framework introduces a new flexible 3-level approach to managing COVID-19 in the community:
Green
Orange
Red
The framework is more flexible than the current Alert Level system because we know that businesses that only open to vaccinated customers pose a lower risk. We can move up levels when needed to control an outbreak.
Public health measures
Testing, contact tracing and isolation will continue as key tools to minimise any spread of the virus.
Localised lockdowns will still be an option if we see a rapid growth in cases. There may still be a need to use wider lockdowns, similar to the measures in Alert Level 3 or 4.
To shift between levels, we will consider:
vaccination coverage
capacity of the health and disability system
testing, contact tracing and case management capacity, and
the transmission of COVID-19 within the community, including its impact on key populations.
More information will be released in mid-November.
Vaccine certificate requirements
Requiring a vaccination certificate will be optional for many locations. There will be some higher-risk settings where they will be a requirement in order to open to the public.
At all levels, businesses, retail, and public facilities will generally be able to remain open for vaccinated people.
Businesses, events, organisations, community, and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement a vaccination entry requirement for customers.
If a business, organisation or service does not wish to request proof of vaccine, they will have to operate with strict limits on capacity and space requirements. They may need to close in Orange and/or Red levels.
GREEN
Green is when there are some COVID-19 cases in the community, and sporadic imported cases. Community transmission will be limited and COVID-19 hospitalisations will be at a manageable level. The health system will be ready to respond, including primary care, public health, and hospitals.
How we stay safe at Green:
Record keeping and scanning will be required
Face coverings are mandatory on flights and encouraged indoors
Where we can go at Green:
Public facilities
Retail
Workplaces
ECEs, schools, kura and tertiary providers
Specified outdoor community events
Regional boundary restrictions will not apply.
ORANGE
At Orange, there will be increasing community transmission that is putting pressure on our health system. The whole of health system will focus its resources, but can continue to manage primary care, public health, and hospitals. There may also be an increasing risk for at-risk people.
How we stay safe at Orange:
Record keeping and scanning will be required
Face coverings will be mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public venues, and encouraged elsewhere
Where we can go at Orange:
Public facilities will be open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing
Retail will be open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing
Education facilities will be open with public health measures in place
Workplaces
Specified outdoor community events
Regional boundary restrictions will not apply.
RED
At Red, action will be needed to be taken to protect both at-risk people and protect our health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations.
How we stay safe at Red:
Record keeping and scanning will be required
Face coverings will be mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public venues, recommended whenever leaving the house
Where we can go at Red:
Public facilities — open with up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing
Retail — open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing
Workplaces — working from home encouraged
ECEs, schools, and kura are open with public health measures
Specified outdoor community events — allowed with capacity limits.