COVID orange light

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins is continuing to champion mask wearing, despite some requirements being loosened.

"People have to go to the supermarket in order to survive. "They're allowed to stand up and have a drink which psychologically makes a big difference" - Auckland restaurant owner So, you're going to have elderly people, you're going to have people who are immunocompromised, who would be very vulnerable if they got Covid-19, and so, requiring masks there helps to protect them." "Requiring masks there helps to protect the vulnerable" - Hipkins "It'd be fair to say there's been quite a range of feedback from the school communities but the schools have found this a very difficult requirement to enforce because young people are not necessarily the easiest people to get to wear their masks or wear them properly." "Requiring masks there helps to protect the vulnerable" - Hipkins duration 6:21

Chris Hipkins announced on Wednesday all of New Zealand would move to orange at 11.59pm on Wednesday.

Orange light the news some were praying for, but niggles over face masks flare up.

"A mask is not that much different to a uniform. "The traffic light system is redundant," Act leader David Seymour said. Hipkins said positive signs - including a fall in new case numbers - meant it was time to relax restrictions and depart from the red setting. The unknown was that the health system hadn't had to deal with an influenza peak over the past two years. "I'm just looking forward to having a mask-free dinner with my wife." He said some staff would be eager to keep working from home at least part of the time. If you're going out to a nightclub, it's a choice to go there and you're taking on a higher degree of risk." The rules were now removed for nightclubs and bars because people had a choice to attend those places. Companies should establish long-term plans to help employee mental health after the turmoil of lockdowns, Sutherland said. Anywhere up to two million Kiwis may have now had Covid, he said, with many not knowing or reporting it. Retailers are fuming over the mask rules - Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford said a lack of progress on them was infuriating. I made a mistake, I then got flustered and made more mistakes and made it worse.

There have been 9563 new community cases of Covid-19 reported today, along with 16 further deaths.

"However, if you have used public transport or travelled between islands, you won't be able to isolate at your home. Five were from the Auckland region, four from Waikato, two from Bay of Plenty, one from Lakes DHB area, one from MidCentral, one from Whanganui, and two from Canterbury. Nine were female and seven were male.

Covid case numbers have falling, and in some places around the country they are well and truly coming down as the country settles into its first day with e.

If you're going out to a nightclub, it's a choice to go there and you're taking on a higher degree of risk." The rules were now removed for nightclubs and bars because people had a choice to attend those places. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment," the ministry said in a statement. The seven-day rolling average of case numbers has again declined. Today's seven-day rolling average is 8990 while last Thursday it was 11,791. The deaths reported today take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 547.

There are 9563 new communicant cases of Covid-19 and a further 16 virus-related deaths. There are 528 people in hospital, including 28 cases in intensive.

If you're going out to a nightclub, it's a choice to go there and you're taking on a higher degree of risk." The rules were now removed for nightclubs and bars because people had a choice to attend those places. Out of respect, we will be making no further comment," the ministry said in a statement. The seven-day rolling average of case numbers has again declined. Today's seven-day rolling average is 8990 while last Thursday it was 11,791. The deaths reported today take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 547.

The nation has now moved into the orange traffic light setting. You still need to wear a mask when you go shopping, but you won't have to when you go to the ...

For example, a ticketed concert held at a place of worship is an event. They can require you to show your My Vaccine Pass to enter the shop. - Some retail businesses can choose to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements. - You do not need to wear a face mask at a gathering but it is encouraged. - You do not need to wear a face mask at indoor or outdoor hospitality venues. - You do not need to wear a face mask outdoors.