IWK

'Delta 2': All you need to know about the new alert level 2 rules

Written by IWK Bureau | Sep 6, 2021 7:35:49 AM

The government has announced New Zealand will move to alert level 2 from 11.59pm tomorrow, excluding the Auckland region.At alert level 2, there are no restrictions on who can be included in your household bubble, businesses can open and you can go to work while kids can go off to school.

With the change in alert level to 'Delta 2' as the prime minister called it, schools will be given 48 hours to reopen from Thursday morning.

Essential workers crossing the alert-level border will be required to have weekly tests.

People who transit between Auckland will need to come through without stopping if they're moving from south of Auckland to Northland.

But it won't be the 'normal' alert level-2, as some of those settings have been changed in light of how much more transmissible the Delta variant is.

Here are the major changes to the rules.

Face coverings mandatory

Face coverings are now mandatory at level 2 in most public venues.

You can take your mask off in venues like restaurants and cafes.

Staff at public facing businesses in level 2 must wear face coverings.

In general, the government is asking you wear a mask if you visit any indoor venues.

Masks are not being mandated in schools, but it is being recommended.

Record keeping

The government expects the public to scan in using the Covid-19 tracer app everywhere they go.

It is mandatory at bars, restaurants, cinemas, churches, and close-contact venues like hairdressers. Customers must scan or have record keeping.

Mandatory record keeping comes into effect from 11:59 pm, 7 September.

Gatherings

Indoor hospitality venues now have a limit of 50 people, while outdoor venues will have a limit of 100 people.

Indoor public facilities like gyms, which under the old level 2 did not previously have limits on people inside and required one-metre distancing, will now be required to enforce 2m distancing.

For a full breakdown of alert level 2 rules visit the Ministry of Health website.