The Government has announced the next stage of the COVID-19 response plan to provide a pathway out of lockdown and give vaccinated New Zealanders more freedom. 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 late November.
Vaccination 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.
Read more from the New Zealand Government COVID-19 website here.
