September 14, 2022
Public support loss doomed traffic lighs
National is backing the end of the Covid traffic lights.
The COVID-19 Protection Framework ended at 11.59pm last night, meaning masks are only mandatory in public health settings, and the seven-day isolation period for those with Covid will no longer extend to other household members.
Health spokesperson Shane Reti says it brings New Zealand into line with other countries which have peeled back restrictions.
“We don’t have the modelling the Government has to look at the risk benefits but it was time to review the traffic light system which was becoming complex and was starting to lose support from the general public,” he says.
Dr Reti says mask wearing has benefits for other illnesses including the flu.