The Government has announced a significant easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
The announcement included the removal of vaccine pass requirements, most vaccine mandates, QR code scanning, and outdoor gathering limits.
Outdoor gathering limits have been abolished, and the indoor gathering limit has doubled from 100 to 200. Masks will no longer be required at outdoor venues.
These changes come under the current “red” setting of the traffic light system. Ardern confirmed the nation will remain at “red” for the time being with a review of the traffic light setting on April 4.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “To date, we’ve had more than 500,000 reported cases of Covid-19 and expert modellers say there have probably been 1.7 million actual infections. That figure, coupled with 95 per cent of New Zealanders being fully vaccinated, means we now have a high level of collective immunity,”
“New Zealanders have worked incredibly hard to get through this pandemic and as a result of those efforts we are now in a position to move forward and change the way we do things.”
Businesses will still be able to use vaccine passes if they wish to, however, the Vacince Passes will no longer be required when operating with indoor guests. Vaccine mandates continue for health, aged care, corrections, and border workers.
New Zealand has been in the “red light setting” since January 23 when Omicron first entered the community.
The end of the COVID-19 vaccination status certificates, better known as “vaccine passes” will go into effect from April 5th, while removal of mandates will be effective from midnight on Friday.
More to come.
