Bye bye covid restrictions

Tāmaki Makaurau – Aotearoa’s covid pandemic restrictions are over.

All mask wearing requirements have been removed, except in healthcare and aged care facilities.

Only covid positive people are required to isolate for seven days and household contacts no longer need to .

All vaccine mandates are to end in on September 26. Incoming travellers and air crews do not need vaccination requirements.

All New Zealanders 65 and over, and Māori 50 and over have automatic access to covid anti-virals if they test positive.

The traffic light system was removed at 11.59pm last night.

For the first time in two years New Zealanders we can approach summer with the much needed certainty.

The most recent health advice now suggests the lowest cases and hospitalisations since February.

Some places, such as workplaces, special events, or marae may ask people to wear masks but this will be at their discretion.

It will be at an employer’s discretion as to whether they require their workforce to be vaccinated. However, seven day isolation period for covid cases remain.

An additional 40,000 more anti-viral medicine courses are expected in the next few days. 

From Tuesday, Aotearoa will move to weekly COVID reporting, similar to Australia.