Overview of the New COVID-19 Protection Framework

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