All of New Zealand will move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework (“Traffic Light System”) at 11.59pm on Thursday, 2 December 2021. At this time, the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Protection Framework) Order 2021 (“the Protection Framework Order”) will come into effect.
Read the Protection Framework Order here. There is also a quick guide available.
Depending on the level at which your region enters the traffic light system, measures (including the use of face coverings and COVID-19 Vaccine Certificates (“CVC”)) are prescribed across various businesses, services, and other venues, as well as capacity limits on gatherings and events.
Schedules 5, 6, and 7 of the Protection Framework Order set out the restrictions that apply (and to which businesses and services) at Green, Orange, and Red.
Additionally, the Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order (No 6) 2021, comes into force on 3 December 2021. This Order sets out a new group of affected persons that COVID-19 vaccination mandates now apply to (workers in relation to settings where CVCs are required for persons to enter a place or receive service).
For specialist advice or any questions on how the Traffic Light System may affect your business or employment, get in touch with us today.