Traffic-light system nz

Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins has defended the country remaining in red under the Covid traffic-light system - as New Zealand is set to welcome new freed.

It is important to remember the journey we have been on in the last two years. And why do we need to be told how brilliant you guys are? Hipkins: Well, I don't think it was about saying how brilliant the government is. "At least as many people will be infected on the way down the mountain as on the way up, and pressure on our healthcare system is likely to remain high. Why do we need reminding all the time? Meanwhile, those in the business community and politicians on the right have welcomed the announcement and called for the Government to go further. Once the border reopens to Australians on April 13, National wanted the traffic light system gone for good, and an end to pre-departure testing, along with the eventual phasing out of all vaccine mandates, with health workers to be phased out last. We've said right the way along, we want to avoid as many people getting Covid-19 as we can, particularly the people who might die from it. QR scanning will no longer be required, while masks will continue to be used and be one of the key protections. Ardern also announced outdoor gathering limits would be scrapped and the number of people allowed to gather inside would increase from 100 to 200 from 11.59pm Friday, under the changes to the red light traffic setting. "[Hospitals] are relatively under strain. Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins has defended the country remaining in red under the Covid traffic-light system - as New Zealand is set to welcome new freedoms with the axing of vaccine passes, QR scans and many mandates.