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Last week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the Covid-19 Protection Framework, which is intended to help us stay safe from Covid-19 into the future. The framework relies on vaccinations and kicks in when 90% of the eligible population in each DHB has been fully vaccinated. Requiring 90% in each DHB should ensure that each region of New Zealand is protected. Auckland will be able to move to Red when all three of its DHBs have 90% full vaccination. There is a strong focus on the use of vaccination certificates. Businesses requiring customers to have vaccination certificates pose a lower risk to the spread of Covid-19. The framework consists of three settings – Red , Orange and Green .  PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES Testing, contact tracing and isolation will continue as key tools to minimise any spread of the virus.   Localised lockdowns will still be an option if there is a rapid growth in cases. There may still be a need to use wider lockdowns, similar to the measures in Alert Level 3 or 4.   To shift between levels, the following will be considered: Vaccination coverage Capacity of the health and disability system Testing, contact tracing and case management capacity, and The transmission of Covid-19 within the community, including its impact on key populations. More information will be released in late November.   VACCINATION CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS Requiring a vaccination certificate will be optional for many locations. There will be some higher-risk settings where they will be a requirement to open to the public.   At all levels, businesses, retail, and public facilities will generally be able to remain open for vaccinated people.   Businesses, events, organisations, community, and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement a vaccination entry requirement for customers.   If a business, organisation or service does not wish to request proof of vaccine, they will have to operate with strict limits on capacity and space requirements. They may need to close in Orange and/or Red levels.   RED                                                                                                                       Used when the virus is spreading in a way which requires action to be taken to protect at-risk people and our health system. Record keeping and scanning will be required. Face coverings will be mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public venues, recommended whenever leaving the house Where we can go at Red: Public facilities — open with up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing Retail — open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing Workplaces — working from home encouraged ECEs, schools, and kura are open with public health measures Specified outdoor community events — allowed with capacity limits Regional boundary restrictions will apply. Places with vaccination certificate requirements. There will be restrictions if vaccination certificates are used. These places will be able to open with up to 100 people, based on 1m physical distancing: Hospitality Gatherings (for example weddings, places of worship, marae) Events (indoor/outdoor) Gyms  These places will be able to open with other requirements: Close contact businesses with public health requirements in place Tertiary education — vaccines required for onsite delivery, with capacity based on 1m distancing Places where vaccination certificates are not used. If a business, organisation or service, does not request proof of vaccine, restrictions will apply: Hospitality — contactless only Gatherings (for example weddings, places of worship, marae) — up to 10 people Tertiary education — distance learning only These places will not be able to operate without a vaccination certificate requirement: Events (indoor and outdoor) Close contact businesses Gyms ORANGE                                                                                                                 There will be increasing community transmission that is putting pressure on the health system. The whole of health system will focus its resources, but can continue to manage primary care, public health, and hospitals. There may also be an increasing risk for at-risk people.   How we stay safe at Orange: Record keeping and scanning will be required Face coverings will be mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public venues, and encouraged elsewhere   Where we can go at Orange: Public facilities will be open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing Retail will be open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing Education facilities will be open with public health measures in place Workplaces Specified outdoor community events Regional boundary restrictions will not apply.   Places with vaccination certificate requirements. There will be no limits if vaccination certificates are used at: Hospitality Gatherings (for example weddings, places of worship, marae) Events (indoor/outdoor) Close contact businesses Gyms   Places where vaccination certificates are not used: Hospitality — contactless only Gatherings (for example weddings, places of worship, marae) — up to 50 people, based on 1m distancing   These places will not be able to operate without a vaccine certificate requirement: Events (indoor/outdoor) Gyms Close contact businesses   GREEN                                                                                                                    Used when there are some Covid-19 cases in the community, and sporadic imported cases. Community transmission will be limited, and Covid-19 hospitalisations will be at a manageable level. The health system will be ready to respond, including primary care, public health, and hospitals.   How we stay safe at Green: Record keeping and scanning will be required Face coverings are mandatory on flights and encouraged indoors   Where we can go at Green: Public facilities Retail Workplaces ECEs, schools, kura and tertiary providers Specified outdoor community events Regional boundary restrictions will not apply.   Places with vaccination certificate requirements There will be no limits if vaccination certificates are used for: Hospitality Gatherings (for example weddings, places of worship, marae) Events (indoor/outdoor) Close contact businesses Gyms   Places where vaccination certificates are not used. If a business, organisation or service, does not request proof of vaccine, restrictions will apply: Hospitality — up to 100 people, based on 1m physical distancing, seated and separated Gatherings (for example weddings, places of worship, marae) — up to 100 people, based on 1m physical distancing Events (indoor/outdoor) — up to 100 people, based on 1m physical distancing, seated and separated Close contact businesses — face coverings for staff, 1m distancing between customers Gyms — up to 100 people, based on 1m physical distancing