BREAKING: NZ to move into Red Light from 11.59 pm tonight
NZ to move into Red Light from 11.59 pm tonight
Omicron virus is circulating in Auckland and Nelson & Marlborough region, PM said in the 11 am press conference
"There is one task that I am expecting New Zealanders to do is - Get Booster," PM said.
"I encourage parents and caregivers to seek important information to consider getting a vaccination for children between 5 - 11 years," PM said.
"Schools to remain open as planned earlier," PM says.
"We have been working on a plan to manage Omcron spread in the community."
"I encourage to work from home where ever possible."
Ardern said the focus is on slowing the spread of the Omicron variant and the strategy includes rapid tests, contact tracing and isolating cases and contacts.
New Zealand has system has "significant capacity" to work on stamping out outbreaks due to low case numbers, she said.
"We know we will see far more cases than we have in the two years to date, but the difference to previous outbreaks is we are vaccinated and we are better prepared."
Ardern said it will take a team effort and she's encouraging people to get their booster shots.
Ardern encouraged New Zealanders to get their boosters saying it will help limit the spread and limit the likelihood of someone getting sick or needing to go to hospital.
She also encouraged parents and caregivers to seek out information about vaccines for their children.
Already, 20 percent of children aged 5-11 have been vaccinated or are booked to receive their vaccination.
Ardern is reminding people the red light settings is not a lockdown.
She said it has restrictions, but business is still open, gathering numbers are reduced and differ depending on whether people are vaccinated or not.
Hospitality is seated and requires a single server.
She said schools remain open, with mask wearing for everyone from year 4 upwards.
Ardern said school ventilation systems will be assessed.
Ardern encouraged households to have a "buddy" to help with food, for example, if someone in your household is unwell from Covid-19.
The Ministry of Health yesterday confirmed that another Auckland Airport worker has the Omicron variant of Covid-19. Another Auckland Airport worker was confirmed to have Omicron on 20 January.
An Omicron case was also detected in Palmerston North on Friday and the Health Ministry said it was likely the source of the infection was offshore "rather than transmission in the Christchurch MIQ facility where they stayed".
The government's approach to Omicron has come under flak with microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles warning the red traffic light setting will not be enough to slow the variant down and South Auckland GP Dr Api Talemaitoga saying the government had dropped the ball on rapid antigen tests.
New Zealand has been preparing for the arrival of Omicron in the community with doctors preparing to support people isolating with the virus at home and supermarkets starting to stockpile to meet demand.
The World Health Organisation has said although the Omicron variant appears to lead to fewer hospitalisations than the Delta variant and to be less severe in the elderly and very young, it should not be considered to be mild.
Life at Red
At Red, we need to take action to protect our vulnerable communities and our health system from COVID-19. Learn what we all need to do.
There are restrictions on where we can go and what we can do at Red, such as limits on how many people can gather. But there are also everyday things that everyone can do. You can meet friends and whanau inside and outside, go shopping, access healthcare, attend school, and travel.
Being vaccinated will give you greater protection.
Gatherings and visits at Red
Gatherings and visits, such as at home, places of worship, and sport locations, can go ahead at Red, with My Vaccine Pass requirements and restrictions.
Public and private gatherings at Red
You can have a gathering at Red, like meeting friends, holding a wedding and attending a place of worship, with My Vaccine Pass requirements and restrictions.
Gatherings can go ahead at Red, with and without My Vaccine Pass requirements, but with different restrictions for each.
Under the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights), household bubbles do not exist.
Examples of gatherings that can go ahead at Red include:
- catching up with friends and whanau
- weddings and civil union ceremonies
- most faith-based gatherings
- get-togethers and parties at your home
- club functions
- social sports
- funerals and tangihanga
- most gatherings at marae
- street parades
- free public concerts in a park
- community fairs
More information about funerals and tangihanga at Red
More information about marae at Red
With My Vaccine Pass
If a gathering chooses to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, only people with My Vaccine Pass are allowed to be there. This includes workers.
Children under the age of 12 years and 3 months do not need to provide a My Vaccine Pass to enter places with a vaccination requirement.
- At a gathering at your home or private dwelling, there can be up to 100 people.
- At gatherings held at other venues, there can be up to 100 people based on 1-metre physical distancing in a single defined space at the venue at any time.
The limit applies to both indoor and outdoor venues.
It includes children, but not staff.
Hospitality venues at Red
Hospitality venues, such as cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, can open at Red, with My Vaccine Pass and restrictions.
Hospitality venues, such as cafes, bars, restaurants (excluding takeaway-only businesses) and nightclubs, can open at Red, with My Vaccine Pass and restrictions.
If a hospitality venue chooses to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, only people with My Vaccine Pass are allowed to enter the premises. This includes delivery drivers, and people who are picking up their own takeaway orders.
- There can be up to 100 people, based on 1-metre distancing, in a single defined space at the venue at any time.
- You will have to be seated and separated from other groups.
- Nightclubs can open, but customers must be seated and separated, which means dancing is not allowed.
- Children under the age of 12 years and 3 months do not need to provide a My Vaccine Pass to enter places with a vaccination requirement.
Takeaway services
Food and beverage businesses that only offer takeaway, such as coffee carts and food trucks, should follow the rules for retail.
NZ to move into Red Light from 11.59 pm tonight
Omicron virus is circulating in Auckland and Nelson & Marlborough region, PM said in the 11 am press conference
"There is one task that I am expecting New Zealanders to do is - Get Booster," PM said.
"I encourage parents and caregivers to seek...
NZ to move into Red Light from 11.59 pm tonight
Omicron virus is circulating in Auckland and Nelson & Marlborough region, PM said in the 11 am press conference
"There is one task that I am expecting New Zealanders to do is - Get Booster," PM said.
"I encourage parents and caregivers to seek important information to consider getting a vaccination for children between 5 - 11 years," PM said.
"Schools to remain open as planned earlier," PM says.
"We have been working on a plan to manage Omcron spread in the community."
"I encourage to work from home where ever possible."
Ardern said the focus is on slowing the spread of the Omicron variant and the strategy includes rapid tests, contact tracing and isolating cases and contacts.
New Zealand has system has "significant capacity" to work on stamping out outbreaks due to low case numbers, she said.
"We know we will see far more cases than we have in the two years to date, but the difference to previous outbreaks is we are vaccinated and we are better prepared."
Ardern said it will take a team effort and she's encouraging people to get their booster shots.
Ardern encouraged New Zealanders to get their boosters saying it will help limit the spread and limit the likelihood of someone getting sick or needing to go to hospital.
She also encouraged parents and caregivers to seek out information about vaccines for their children.
Already, 20 percent of children aged 5-11 have been vaccinated or are booked to receive their vaccination.
Ardern is reminding people the red light settings is not a lockdown.
She said it has restrictions, but business is still open, gathering numbers are reduced and differ depending on whether people are vaccinated or not.
Hospitality is seated and requires a single server.
She said schools remain open, with mask wearing for everyone from year 4 upwards.
Ardern said school ventilation systems will be assessed.
Ardern encouraged households to have a "buddy" to help with food, for example, if someone in your household is unwell from Covid-19.
The Ministry of Health yesterday confirmed that another Auckland Airport worker has the Omicron variant of Covid-19. Another Auckland Airport worker was confirmed to have Omicron on 20 January.
An Omicron case was also detected in Palmerston North on Friday and the Health Ministry said it was likely the source of the infection was offshore "rather than transmission in the Christchurch MIQ facility where they stayed".
The government's approach to Omicron has come under flak with microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles warning the red traffic light setting will not be enough to slow the variant down and South Auckland GP Dr Api Talemaitoga saying the government had dropped the ball on rapid antigen tests.
New Zealand has been preparing for the arrival of Omicron in the community with doctors preparing to support people isolating with the virus at home and supermarkets starting to stockpile to meet demand.
The World Health Organisation has said although the Omicron variant appears to lead to fewer hospitalisations than the Delta variant and to be less severe in the elderly and very young, it should not be considered to be mild.
Life at Red
At Red, we need to take action to protect our vulnerable communities and our health system from COVID-19. Learn what we all need to do.
There are restrictions on where we can go and what we can do at Red, such as limits on how many people can gather. But there are also everyday things that everyone can do. You can meet friends and whanau inside and outside, go shopping, access healthcare, attend school, and travel.
Being vaccinated will give you greater protection.
Gatherings and visits at Red
Gatherings and visits, such as at home, places of worship, and sport locations, can go ahead at Red, with My Vaccine Pass requirements and restrictions.
Public and private gatherings at Red
You can have a gathering at Red, like meeting friends, holding a wedding and attending a place of worship, with My Vaccine Pass requirements and restrictions.
Gatherings can go ahead at Red, with and without My Vaccine Pass requirements, but with different restrictions for each.
Under the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights), household bubbles do not exist.
Examples of gatherings that can go ahead at Red include:
- catching up with friends and whanau
- weddings and civil union ceremonies
- most faith-based gatherings
- get-togethers and parties at your home
- club functions
- social sports
- funerals and tangihanga
- most gatherings at marae
- street parades
- free public concerts in a park
- community fairs
More information about funerals and tangihanga at Red
More information about marae at Red
With My Vaccine Pass
If a gathering chooses to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, only people with My Vaccine Pass are allowed to be there. This includes workers.
Children under the age of 12 years and 3 months do not need to provide a My Vaccine Pass to enter places with a vaccination requirement.
- At a gathering at your home or private dwelling, there can be up to 100 people.
- At gatherings held at other venues, there can be up to 100 people based on 1-metre physical distancing in a single defined space at the venue at any time.
The limit applies to both indoor and outdoor venues.
It includes children, but not staff.
Hospitality venues at Red
Hospitality venues, such as cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, can open at Red, with My Vaccine Pass and restrictions.
Hospitality venues, such as cafes, bars, restaurants (excluding takeaway-only businesses) and nightclubs, can open at Red, with My Vaccine Pass and restrictions.
If a hospitality venue chooses to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, only people with My Vaccine Pass are allowed to enter the premises. This includes delivery drivers, and people who are picking up their own takeaway orders.
- There can be up to 100 people, based on 1-metre distancing, in a single defined space at the venue at any time.
- You will have to be seated and separated from other groups.
- Nightclubs can open, but customers must be seated and separated, which means dancing is not allowed.
- Children under the age of 12 years and 3 months do not need to provide a My Vaccine Pass to enter places with a vaccination requirement.
Takeaway services
Food and beverage businesses that only offer takeaway, such as coffee carts and food trucks, should follow the rules for retail.
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