January 24, 2022
Omicron crimps back to work spirit
The country is back in red as the Government tries to slow down the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The decision was made after nine members of a Nelson family tested positive for Omicron after returning home from attending a wedding in Auckland on January 13.
Those eligible were double vaccinated,
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there will be undetected cases both in Auckland and in the Nelson-Marlborough area.
Under the traffic light system, red means gatherings are restricted to 100 vaccinated people or no more than 25 unvaccinated people.
There will be limits on the number of people allowed at the same time in shops, banks, outdoor markets or takeaways, and social distancing rules will apply.
Businesses can open with restrictions.
Travelling around the country is allowed, but those travelling by plane or ferry will need to be vaccinated or have a negative test.
People need to wear masks on transport including planes, buses or taxis.
Schools, dairies or supermarkets won’t be allowed refuse service because of vaccine status.
Ms Ardern says the phase one response will apply as long as there are fewer than 1000 cases a day and there is a chance of stamping out the virus.
It includes contact tracing, isolation and testing anyone with symptoms at a community testing station or primary health provider.
In stage one, you will need to isolate for 14 days if you are a case or a contact.
If Omicron takes off there will be a transition stage where the emphasis goes on identifying those at greater risk of severe illness.
More details will be provided on Wednesday of stage three responses if the outbreak starts to overwhelm the health system or supply lines.