Key Changes To NZ's Covid-19 Response 2022

Published 13 September 2022 | 2 min read

On Monday 12 September, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the removal of most COVID-19 restrictions in New Zealand. These are restrictions that many businesses are thankful to be lifted as the rest of the world has moved on from the pandemic. 

Key changes to NZ’s COVID-19 response:

• The COVID-19 Protection Framework ends at 11.59pm tonight, Monday 12 September
• All mask wearing requirements removed, except in healthcare and aged care facilities
• Only COVID-19 positive individuals required to isolate for seven days, household contacts no longer need to
• All Government vaccine mandates to end in two weeks on 26 September
• Removal of all vaccination requirements for incoming travellers and air crew
• Support for business and workers to continue through leave support payments
• New Zealanders aged 65 and over, and Māori aged 50 and over to have automatic access to COVID anti-virals if they test positive

Masks will not be required except in health settings, household contacts will not need to isolate, vaccine mandates will be lifted from September 26 and access to anti-viral medicines will be widened.

Health settings include doctor clinics, pharmacies, hospitals and rest homes.

"Today marks a milestone in our response. Finally, rather than feeling that Covid dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our futures, we take back control," Ardern said.

"In short, we now move on to a simple two requirements system of masks in healthcare settings and seven days isolation for positive cases only."

Restrictions

Restrictions will largely be removed, largely with no mask requirements including on public transport - except in health settings.

Counselling, mental health and addiction services will not have a mask requirement.

"Some places, such as workplaces, special events, or marae may ask you to wear a mask, but this will be at their discretion and no longer a Government requirement," Ardern said.

"Please respect those who choose to keep wearing masks as a form of protection."

People with Covid-19 will still need to isolate for seven days, but their household contacts will not. Household contacts previously had to isolate for a week unless they had Covid-19 in the past three months or had already isolated in the last 10 days.

"Their household contacts will only be asked to undertake a daily RAT test before going about their life as normal," Ardern said.

Mandates

Remaining vaccine mandates will be dropped in two weeks on September 26, including for health care workers and overseas tourists.

There will be no vaccine requirements for international travellers and crew.

Click here to read the article by 1 News.