This Friday, New Zealand will transition to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework (the traffic lights), as the country moves safely into the next phase of our world-leading COVID-19 response. Read the press release
The following areas will enter the new Framework at Red:
- Northland
- Auckland
- Taupō and Rotorua Lakes districts
- Kawerau
- Whakatane
- Ōpōtiki districts
- Gisborne district
- Wairoa district
- Rangitikei
- Whanganui and Ruapehu districts
The rest of the North Island (Waikato, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington) will enter the new Framework at Orange, as will the entire South Island.
A visual traffic light map with the ability to search for your local setting is available at Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz) | Traffic light map.
Review of settings
Cabinet will review traffic light settings in two weeks and will provide an update on Monday 13 December. The next update will be on Monday 17 January and will continue on a fortnightly basis.
The factors that determine whether a region is Red or Orange include: vaccination rates, the capacity of the local health system, testing and contact tracing and case management, and the current case number and spread.
Travel restrictions
The Auckland land and air boundaries remain in place and until 15 December people will only be able to travel out of Auckland for permitted reasons. From 15 December, restrictions at the boundaries ease and personal travel will be permitted for any reason for travellers who have a Vaccine Pass or have a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of travel.
There will be no restrictions on travelling in and out of the Red areas in the central and eastern North Island, but people entering these areas must follow the Red requirements.
Gatherings
Gatherings include those held at home, weddings, funerals and tangihanga, marae, social sports and places of worship.
At all colour settings, visiting whānau and friends in each other’s home is permitted in line with the rules on all gatherings. Anyone hosting a gathering or party will need to make sure they are aware of the rules and requirements.
Like with businesses, if the organiser of a party or gathering chooses to use My Vaccine Pass, then they also have the obligation to check each attendee’s My Vaccine Pass. The free NZ Pass Verifier app can be used by anyone to help check passes.
If the party organiser chooses not to use My Vaccine Pass, then they will need to limit the number of people attending depending on which colour they are in. If there are people who have chosen to be unvaccinated present, the limit is 25 people at Red, and 50 people at Orange.
Business Guidance – operating under the COVID-19 Protection Framework
Get ready for the change and find guidelines about how your business can operate under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
Many industry associations and professional bodies are also providing advice, detailed guidance and resources for specific sectors. Check with the associations relevant to your work to learn more.
If you operate in an office setting, you may be interested in workforce guidance issued by the Public Service Commission for operating under the Protection Framework. The guidance covers topics including leave and pay guidance under a variety of situations, for Public Service organisations.
What do Orange and Red settings mean?
There are three key things to remember at every colour setting: Mask, Scan, and Pass.
Mask – take your face-covering when you leave the house and be ready to wear it.
Scan – scan in wherever you go.
Pass – download your Vaccine Pass and have it ready, so you can go to all your favourite places.
Red will feel a lot like Alert Level 2, but with Vaccine Passes. A Vaccine Pass will allow for access everywhere.
You are encouraged to wear a face covering whenever you leave the house.
Working from home might be appropriate for some.
Where Vaccine Passes are required, capacity limits of 100 will apply to most activities.
The capacity limit for public facilities including zoos, museums, public swimming pools and libraries will be based on the number of people who can visit based on 1m physical distancing.
At Orange, face coverings will be required on flights, public transport, taxis, public venues and encouraged everywhere else. With a Vaccine Pass, access everywhere is unlimited but physical distancing rules will apply at retail and public facilities.
Read comprehensive guidance for life under the traffic light system, including information for businesses and workers, gatherings, events and public facilities, and financial support at Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz):
Life at Orange | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
Life at Red | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
Enforcement and reporting non-compliance
Any individual or organisation can report issues and people or businesses not following advice to the COVID-19 Compliance Centre. The information reported will be available to the agencies are responsible for compliance as part of New Zealand’s COVID‐19 response including the Police, and WorkSafe, Customs and Primary Industries.
There will be a graduated compliance model in place to support businesses as they implement these new requirements. Businesses can expect strong feedback from their customers and competitors if they do not follow the rules.
WorkSafe will take a similar approach to how it has acted with requirements around QR codes and record keeping, using an education first approach. If a business or service then fails to make expected changes, WorkSafe may take enforcement action.
Police will have operational discretion on the enforcement of new rules due to come into effect shortly. Police have begun discussions with Iwi and other partners on these new rules and will be working with them around their plans moving forward. Fraudulent use or misuse of My Vaccine Passes will not be tolerated and authorities will act to prevent this. Police are able to enforce the legitimate use of the My Vaccine Pass. Police could be requested to check that a person’s ID matches their pass, or make spot checks at venues. If people feel their safety is at risk, they should call Police.
SOURCE: Ministry of Health
