Yesterday the traffic light settings (under the new Covid-19 Protection Framework) for all of New Zealand was announced. This new framework will come into force this Friday 3rd December.

 
Below is a summary of what the different settings look like.
 
Regional Settings

• Northland, Auckland, Taupō and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu Districts will move in at Red.
• The rest of the North Island, including Waikato will move in at Orange
• The whole of the South Island will move in at Orange

 
Travel between regions in all traffic light settings is allowed, with the exception of the existing Auckland boundary, which is expected to be lifted on the 17 January 2022. Between 15 December and 17 January, anyone travelling out of Auckland will need to be fully vaccinated, or have a negative test administered no more than 72 hours before departure, to leave Auckland and visit other parts of the country.
 

Key components of the Covid-19 Protection Framework

The new framework comprises of 6 components:

1. Vaccination

The main objective is to have as many people vaccinated throughout New Zealand, and plays a key role in the varying framework settings

2. My Vaccine Pass

The official record of your vaccination status for use in New Zealand.

3. Capacity limits

Similar to the current Alert Level settings, the capacity limits specified are based on 1 metre distancing.

4. Record keeping

QR codes issued by the NZ government are legally required to be displayed in workplaces and on public transport to enable the use of the NZ Covid Tracer app for contact tracing.

5. Localised protections and lockdowns

Under this framework, localised lockdowns and protections can be used in addition to the three levels, if needed to control high rates of transmission.

6. Location not specified

If your business, service or activity is not captured specifically in the Traffic Light system, you must follow the public health measures specified in the general settings.
 

Traffic Light Settings – what does each colour mean?

Red
At Red, there is a higher rate of transmission occurring, and action is needed to protect both at-risk people and our health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations.

Face coverings will be mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public facilities, and recommended whenever leaving the house.
 
You will be legally required to provide your My Vaccine Pass to enter places which have vaccination requirements in place, such as hospitality venues, events, gatherings and gyms.

No Vaccine Pass is required to access basic needs and services, such as supermarkets, public transport and essential healthcare.

 
Workplaces are able to be open at Red, and businesses can choose whether they wish for staff to work from home if appropriate.
 
My Vaccine Pass requirements
Most businesses will be able to choose whether they use the My Vaccine Pass for customers and visitors, but there will be restrictions if they do not, including possibly needing to close.
 
They can also switch between requiring My Vaccine Pass and not requiring My Vaccine Pass. This could happen in places such as funeral homes where they have different groups entering the venue after each other.
If a business chooses to switch:

• there must be no mingling of groups
• rooms should be well ventilated
• high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, should be cleaned between groups
• everyone, both staff and visitors, must be told what the vaccine pass requirements are—whether it is for people with My Vaccine Pass, or a mix of people with and without My Vaccine Pass.

Businesses may check your My Vaccine Pass, either by looking at it, or scanning the QR code on your My Vaccine Pass with the NZ Pass Verifier app.

Businesses that are subject to My Vaccine Pass requirements are expected to check My Vaccine Pass for all people on their premises, including workers.

Further information regarding vaccine passes can be found here

Further information regarding operating at Red can be found by clicking here.
 
Orange
At Orange, we are able to continue to do everyday activities, with some restrictions in place to limit the spread of the virus and protect those vulnerable. At Orange, there’s increasing community transmission of Covid-19 occurring.
 
Face coverings will be mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public facilities, and encouraged elsewhere.
 
Most businesses can open with no restrictions on numbers if they choose to follow the My Vaccine Pass requirements, including only allowing fully vaccinated people to enter. Businesses choosing not to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements will have limits on the number of people who can be in a venue at one time.
 
As with Red, you will be legally required to provide your My Vaccine Pass to enter places which have vaccination requirements in place, such as hospitality venues, events, gatherings and gyms.
No Vaccine Pass is required to access basic needs and services, such as supermarkets, public transport and essential healthcare.
 
The My Vaccine Pass requirements are the same in Orange as they are in Red (described above).

Further information regarding operating at Orange can be found by clicking here.
 
Green
At Green, there are only some cases of Covid-19 in the community, including sporadic imported cases. Community transmission is limited and Covid-19 hospitalisations will be at a manageable level. The health system will be ready to respond, including primary care, public health, and hospitals.
 
Face coverings will be mandatory on flights only, but still encouraged indoors. Record keeping and scanning is still required.
 
Further information regarding operating at Green has not yet been provided. The Government have said they’re wanting to continue to increase vaccination rates and transition the country into the new framework before using the Green level setting. It’s likely that this won’t occur until after the Christmas and New Year period.
 
Regional Settings will be reviewed on Monday 13 December, and then kept in place until the next review on Monday 17 January. From then, updates will be made fortnightly.