Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says the anti-COVID vaccine mandate protest at Parliament is no longer tenable.
Coster has activated the major operations centre to support local police efforts to end the occupation, now in its eighth day.
Meanwhile, New Zealand saw a drop in COVID cases on Tuesday as the Ministry of Health announced 744 new infections and 40 people in hospital.
It comes after COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins revealed new self-isolation rules for travellers coming to New Zealand from Australia - who will be able to bypass hotel quarantine from later this month.
What you need to know:
- Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has activated a major operations centre in response to the anti-COVID vaccine mandate protests at Parliament, saying the impact of the demonstration activity in Wellington is "no longer tenable".
- Protesters have been told to clear the roads, or their vehicles will be towed.
- Meanwhile, there were 744 new community COVID cases in New Zealand on Tuesday.
- Location of new community cases: 535 in Auckland, 69 in Waikato, 43 in Northland, 30 in Southern, 10 in Lakes, nine in Nelson Marlborough, nine in Canterbury (9),eight in Bay of Plenty, seven in Tairāwhiti, six MidCentral, five in Capital and Coast, two in Taranaki, one in Hawke’s Bay, one in Wairarapa, and one in Hutt Valley.
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 19 (three of which are historical).
- Cases in hospital: Total number 40; 19 are in Auckland, 13 in Middlemore, four in North Shore, two in Christchurch, one in Wellington and one in Whangārei.
- NZ will move to phase 2 of the Government's Omicron plan on Tuesday night.
- You can see the latest locations of interest here.
This article is no longer being updated.
7pm - In two weeks' time, Kiwis arriving from Australia will be able to skip managed isolation (MIQ) altogether as long as they meet a few criteria.
It couldn't come soon enough because even with its last breath, MIQ is still inflicting pain.
6:39pm - Newshub can reveal campervans are being used to help high-risk people in overcrowded households isolate safely.
It comes as a church minister says he's used a church hall to isolate 14 boys, 13 of whom have tested positive for COVID.
6:26pm - An Irish pub in Queenstown are among the latest "close contact" COVID locations of interest to be added to the Ministry of Health's list.
6:15pm - As of Tuesday, more than 9.95 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in New Zealand, officials say.
5:59pm - Coming up on Newshub Live at 6pm: More details on the Police Commissioner's promise to crack down on illegally parked anti-mandate protesters.
Click here to watch the Newshub Live at 6pm bulletin.
5:45pm - Returnees to New Zealand who break the self-isolation rules announced on Tuesday could receive a fine of up to $12,000, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says.
But self-isolation won't last forever with Hipkins acknowledging it is not an "indefinite measure" - though he couldn't put an end date on it.
5:06pm - Two prisoners and two staff members at Mt Eden Prison (MECF) have tested positive for COVID-19, Corrections has confirmed.
"These staff are isolating at home, as are a further 17 staff members deemed as close contacts," a Corrections spokesman told Newshub.
"In addition, there are two prisoners at MECF who have returned positive COVID-19 tests, with 33 prisoners in isolation who are close contacts of recent positive cases.
"Since March 2020 we have managed over 80 prisoners with COVID-19 in prisons, the majority of which have been at MECF, which is to be expected, as this is New Zealand's only specialist remand prison. We have been actively planning and preparing for the potential of increased cases in prisons, particularly given the increased number of cases in our communities."
4:50pm - During the press conference, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster wouldn't go into exact details of when they might start towing illegally parked vehicles - but said it would commence "shortly".
"It is a major operation to remove the large number of vehicles around those streets," he told reporters. "We have, from the outset of this, had very great reluctance from tow operators to support us in clearing this situation.
"Part of what we'd like to do today is to appeal to those who are tow operators to come forward and help us sort this out."
4:35pm - The police press conference has now concluded - thanks for tuning in. Keep following this article for further COVID-19 and anti-mandate protest updates.
4:34pm - Coster says people who obstruct vehicles from being towed "very likely" could be arrested.
4:32pm - Cmmr Coster says their aim is not to escalate any tensions.
4:29pm - Coster says police's focus is getting the blocked roads open.
"They need to move them now," he says of the illegally parked cars.
4:27pm - Cmmr Coster says it will be a "major operation" to clear illegally parked vehicles from the streets.
He confirms he's asked the New Zealand Defence Force to help tow vehicles.
4:25pm - Coster says police officers have worked with the Wellington City Council on Tuesday to ticket illegally parked vehicles. He warns vehicles will soon be towed if they aren't moved.
4:24pm - Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has arrived at the press conference and is addressing media.
4:10pm - A press conference is about to be held by the police to provide further updates on the Parliament protest response. Watch it live in the video above.
3:49pm - An update from Police Commissioner Andrew Coster on the anti-mandate Parliament protests:
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has today activated the Major Operations Centre (MoC) at police national headquarters, to support the Wellington District operation following ongoing protest activity that is unreasonably impacting the city.
While police acknowledge the right to lawfully protest, the effect of this protest activity around the Parliament grounds, on roads, residents, schools and businesses, is no longer tenable.
Having followed international developments, police considers it unwise to escalate tensions and we have offered alternatives that would enable the roads to be cleared.
However, protestors have not taken up the offer and nor have they shown any concern for the negative impact of their activities.
Police will continue to give protesters the opportunity to remove their vehicles voluntarily but time is fast running out for this to happen.
The roads need to be cleared now or we will be towing vehicles.
Vehicles that are towed will be seized and not immediately released to those who have failed to move them.
Those who obstruct police efforts to clear the roads can expect to be arrested and charged.
We continue to encourage protesters to do the right thing and facilitate opening of roads in the area.
It is possible for this protest to be conducted lawfully but the current manner of protest is both unreasonable and unfairly impacting others.
By openly communicating our intention we are demonstrating our ongoing willingness to work in good faith to allow lawful and reasonable protest while protecting the interests of others in the area.
What's clear from international experience is that there is no easy resolution to protests of this nature and the safety of the public and consequences of escalation are a significant factor in our decision making.
The MoC - a joint operation with Wellington District and national staff - will manage and coordinate resourcing, response options, logistics, and health and safety.
Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers has been appointed national controller of the operation and he will continue to work closely with Wellington District Commander Supt Corrie Parnell.
3:34pm - In Parliament, ACT Party deputy leader Brooke van Velden has asked the Prime Minister whether the Government was open to alternatives to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
"I think it's worth canvassing briefly where we have applied mandates because we have been judicious in their use," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told MPs. "Obviously, as Delta hit us we wanted to make sure that anyone who was vulnerable who was accessing health services could be assured, for instance, that they wouldn't risk being exposed to an unvaccinated worker.
"Everytime we've made that decision [to mandate], it has been very careful considered and we've done it to protect New Zealanders."
3:25pm - There are now 51 active cases of COVID-19 in the Southern District, which covers Otago and Southland.
The Southern District Health Board is urging residents with COVID-19 symptoms to seek PCR testing.
3:08pm - The 1 million New Zealanders who are so far delaying getting their booster shots are the biggest concern of top COVID-19 adviser, epidemiologist Sir David Skegg.
Sir David, who is chair of the Strategic COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group, says Aotearoa is much more ready than any other country he can think of to face an Omicron outbreak on a large scale.
However, his greatest concern is the numbers who are still to get their booster shot, he told Morning Report.
"I'm amazed that there's more than a million New Zealanders who are eligible for the booster dose who have not yet taken up that opportunity," Sir David said. "This is crazy.
"I think it's time we stopped talking about people being fully vaccinated if they've only had two doses."
RNZ
2:55pm - Earlier, the Cook Islands confirmed it had detected its first community case of COVID-19.
"I can also tell you that from the moment Te Marae Ora (TMO Ministry of Health) confirmed this person as testing positive for COVID-19, our contact tracing team swung into action to trace their movements since arriving in Rarotonga and to start identifying any potential close contacts," Prime Minister Mark Brown said.
"As each new piece of information is gathered and confirmed, we will also be keeping you all as up-to-date as possible as any new places of interest and potential close contacts are identified.
"Those people deemed to be close contacts of this case are currently being contacted by TMO and will be advised to get tested."
2:39pm - Latest Ministry of Health data shows there were 48 COVID cases reported in the South Island in the previous 24 hours.
The majority (30) were reported in the Southern District which covers Otago and Southland. There were also nine infections each reported in Canterbury and Nelson/Marlborough.
2:29pm - National Party leader Luxon also says he backs Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declining to meet with the anti-mandate demonstrators.
"We respect people's right to protest but we expect them to do it within the rules and that's not been happening," he told reporters. "We're a party of law and order and so at this point we wouldn't be doing that."
2:25pm - The week-long protest at Parliament is "representative of an immense amount of frustration" with the Government's COVID-19 response, according to Christopher Luxon.
But the National Party leader will not engage with the protesters because "we respect people's right to protest but we expect them to do it within the rules and that's not been happening".
2:11pm - Multiple "close contact" COVID locations of interest have been added to the Ministry of Health's list on Tuesday afternoon. The majority are flights between the North and South Islands.
They include Air New Zealand flight NZ616 from Queenstown to Auckland on Wednesday, Jetstar flight JQ239 from Auckland to Christchurch on Thursday, Jetstar flight JQ294 from Queenstown to Auckland on Friday and Air NZ flight NZ5803 from Tauranga to Christchurch on Saturday.
Relishes Cafe in Wanaka has also been listed as a potential "close contact" exposure event.
2:07pm - Over the past five days there's been a dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases, hitting 981 on Monday before falling slightly on Tuesday to 744.
The sudden rise in cases since is evident from the Ministry of Health graph below.
2pm - For more on the recently-announced self-isolation rules for Kiwis returning from Australia, who will be able to bypass hotel quarantine from later this month, click here.
1:54pm - Anti-COVID vaccine mandate demonstrators have set up camp in Christchurch's Cramner Square, city councillor Jake McLellan says.
"Residents have been putting up with large amounts of disruption for months now," he said on Facebook.
"Protesting is an important part of democracy. However targeting a residential area for a sustained period of time doesn't seem fair to me.
"Certainly not winning any hearts or minds."
Locals have previously vented their frustrations at noisy protests and unpermitted events taking place in Cramner Square.
1:52pm - In world COVID news, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will invoke the little-used Emergencies Act to give his government extra powers to deal with protesting truckers, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation says.
1:40pm - Ministry of Health data shows there were also 19 COVID cases recorded at the border in the previous 24 hours.
It comes after COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced rules for Kiwis returning from Australia - who will be able to bypass hotel quarantine and isolate at home from February 28.
1:20pm - Here is the latest data from the Ministry of Health on the outbreak and vaccination campaign:
COVID-19 vaccine update
- Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people aged 12 and over): 4,053,979 first doses (96%); 3,984,716 second doses (95%); 1,959,875 booster doses (61%).
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 580 first doses; 1,233 second doses; 1,466 paediatric doses; 47,573 booster doses.
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 516,443 first doses (90%); 493,073 second doses (86%).
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 279,252 first doses (97%); 272,348 second doses (95%).
- Paediatric vaccines administered to date (percentage of 5-11-year-olds): 216,256 first doses (45%)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 30,368 first doses (26%)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 17,863 first doses (36%)
Vaccination rates for all DHBs (percentage of eligible people aged 12 +)
- Northland DHB: First doses (90%); second doses (87%)
- Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (97%); second doses (96%)
- Waikato DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
- Lakes DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (91%)
- MidCentral DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (90%)
- Whanganui DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (90%)
- Hawke’s Bay: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- Taranaki DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
- Wairarapa DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (99%); second doses (98%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- West Coast DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (91%)
- Canterbury DHB: First doses (99%); second doses (98%)
- South Canterbury DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (94%)
- Southern DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (96%)
Hospitalisations
- Cases in hospital: Total Number 40: Whangārei: 1; North Shore: 4; Middlemore: 13; Auckland: 19; Wellington: 1, Christchurch: 2.
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 59
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 0
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (2 cases / 5.9%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (N/A cases / 0%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (18 cases / 52.9%); unknown (14 cases / 41.2%).
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 541
- Seven day rolling average of border cases: 20
- Number of new community cases: 744
- Location of new community cases*: Northland (43), Auckland (535), Waikato (69), Bay of Plenty (8), Lakes (10), Hawke’s Bay (1), MidCentral (6), Taranaki (2), Tairāwhiti (7), Wairarapa (1), Capital and Coast (5), Hutt Valley (1), Nelson Marlborough (9), Canterbury (9), Southern (30).
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 19 (three of which are historical)
- Location of origin of border cases: Australia (1), Belgium (1), Singapore (1), United Arab Emirates (1), United States of America (1), Unknown (11).
- Number of active community cases (total): 5,636 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 21,949
* Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO.
Tests
- Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 21,070
- Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 21,742
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests in New Zealand: 7.2 million
1:19pm - The Ministry has provided an updated about their "Big Boost" campaign:
The Big Boost Week continues to see tens of thousands of people going out to get their booster dose each day. Yesterday, 47,573 booster doses were administered across the motu – that’s twice as many as Sunday – and brings the total so far to almost two million doses.
Additionally, Whanganui DHB yesterday afternoon reached a vaccine milestone, with their eligible population now 90% fully vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health would like to thank everyone in New Zealand who has been vaccinated. You are doing your bit to keep all New Zealanders safe.
The COVID-19 vaccine remains our best defence against the virus. People who are vaccinated are less likely to get seriously unwell or be hospitalised than people who haven’t been vaccinated.
The booster vaccine offers a high level of protection against Omicron, so if it’s been three months since you got your second dose, please get your booster as soon as possible.
Omicron is highly transmissible, but all of us can play our part to slow the spread of the virus, help protect our most vulnerable people from being infected, and ensure our health system is able to manage extra demand for services.
This means getting vaccinated and boosted as soon as eligible as well as continuing to do the basics well – staying home if you’re unwell, wearing a mask, physical distancing, and scanning in using the NZ COVID Tracer app when you’re out and about.
Testing reminder
It is encouraging to see a high level of testing this week. However, it is important the right people get tested for the right reasons.
There is good testing capacity throughout the country, but unnecessary testing could delay results for those who urgently need them.
People should only get tested if they have cold or flu symptoms, if they have been at a location of interest, or if they have been asked to get tested by a health official.
We also want to reiterate our thanks to COVID-19 testing staff for their part in New Zealand’s defence against the virus.
We are anticipating continued high demand at our COVID-19 testing sites, so our request is to, please, be patient. Our frontline staff across the health sector are doing the best they can to help in a timely way.
For a full list of testing sites nationwide, visit the Healthpoint website.
Extension to Vaccination Order for health and disability sector
The deadline for the health and disability sector to have their vaccine booster under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order has been extended until 11:59pm on Thursday 24 February 2022.
These new dates will also apply to any workers covered by the health mandated dates because of the work they undertake in Corrections, FENZ, Defence, Education and Police.
Further information can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website.
The Ministry is continuing to work closely with the health and disability sector to support the booster uptake.
1:17pm - The Ministry of Health has announced 744 new infections and 40 people in hospital on Tuesday.
Of the new community infections, 535 in Auckland, 69 in Waikato, 43 in Northland, 30 in Southern, 10 in Lakes, nine in Nelson Marlborough, nine in Canterbury (9),eight in Bay of Plenty, seven in Tairāwhiti, six MidCentral, five in Capital and Coast, two in Taranaki, one in Hawke’s Bay, one in Wairarapa, and one in Hutt Valley.
The ministry announced there are 40 people in hospital with none in ICU or HDU.
Of the 40 people in hospital: 19 are in Auckland, 13 in Middlemore, four in North Shore, two in Christchurch, one in Wellington and one in Whangārei
There are 19 new COVID cases recorded at the border in Managed Isolation and Quarantine with three of them historical.
12:57pm - The Northern Region Health Coordination Centre (NRHCC) are continuing to experience high demand for testing on Tuesday after New Zealand recorded 981 COVID cases on Monday.
The NRHCC said that community testing centres across Auckland are experiencing very high demand, similar to the height of the Delta outbreak.
This has prompted the NRHCC to remind people when to get tested for COVID-19. The most important things to remember are - you only need to be tested if you:
- Are feeling unwell or have symptoms (e.g. a fever, new or worsening cough, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, sneezing and running nose)
- Are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19
- Have had a positive Rapid Antigen Test
- Are required to have a test under a mandatory testing order (e.g. a border or MIQ worker)
- Work directly with COVID-19 patients
- Are attending a procedure or appointment at a public hospital, and have been asked to get a test
- Have been told to get a test by a Health Official.
"We are asking people to follow this advice to make sure the right people have access to testing," the NRHCC said.
"If you don’t have symptoms, or meet the other criteria, you don’t need to be tested."
12:45pm - The Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) hotel room repair bill nearly tripled in 2021 with taxpayers footing the bill.
An official information act request to MBIE found the cost of repairs was $35,380.47 for the January - March period, but leapt to $101,217.45 for September - November.
The list of items repaired includes damage to headboards, televisions, coffee tables, curtains and couches. Items replaced include microwaves, doors, fridges, dishwashers, beds and televisions.
Read the full story here.
12:30pm - As usual, the Ministry of Health will release its daily statement with the latest updates on the COVID-19 outbreak at around 1pm.
Stay tuned, as we will publish the newest developments live as soon as the statement is available.
12:15pm - Winston Peters has slammed MPs for not meeting with any of the protesters outside Parliament.
12:10pm - The Ministry of Health has announced one new 'high risk' location of interest in Christchurch.
The location is:
Robert Harris Cafe The Palms - Saturday, 12 February from 12pm to 1pm
The ministry asks anyone at the cafe during the exposure time to "self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest".
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
11:30am - As New Zealand closes in on stage one of their border re-opening plan starting at the end of February, South American airline Latam has announced they're resuming services to our shores.
The airline suspended services for two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Latam Oceania country manager Chris Ellis said flights would resume from Sydney to Santiago, via Auckland, on March 29, with a Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
The airline said they would operate the route three times a week and look to increase the schedule to five flights weekly from July 1, he said.
11:23am - In Victoria, they have also seen a rise in COVID cases in the past 24 hours with 8,162 new infections reported.
The new cases announced on Tuesday is up from Monday's 7,104 which had marked five straight days infections had reduced.
Victoria Health said there were 20 coronavirus deaths, up from 18 recorded on Monday.
Hospitalisations have slightly decreased with 441 people in hospital, down from 465 on Monday while there are 67 people in ICU with 14 people on a ventilator.
The number of active cases has seen a significant drop with 50,967 on Tuesday compared to 53,707 on Monday.
11:15am - Over in Australia, New South Wales has seen a slight jump in COVID cases with 8,201 new infections in the past 24 hours.
The new cases announced on Tuesday is up from the 6,184 on Monday, which was the fifth straight day of reduction in cases.
New South Wales Health said there were 16 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, up from 14 on Monday.
Hospitalisations have decreased with 1,583 people in hospital - compared to 1,649 on Monday - with 96 people in ICU.
11:07am - The Ministry of Health has announced one new location of interest in Christchurch.
The location is:
Misceo Cafe & Bar Bryndwr - Saturday 12 February from 6:30pm to 8pm
The ministry asks anyone at the cafe during the exposure time to "self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed".
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
11am - The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has confirmed they were approached by police to offer assistance with the ongoing protest outside Parliament that has stretched to an eighth day.
"The NZDF was approached last week by the New Zealand Police to determine what assistance could be provided to help tow away illegally parked vehicles from around Parliament. No decisions have been made about NZDF involvement," NZDF spokesperson said.
10:45am - COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has unveiled new self-isolation rules for travellers coming to New Zealand.
Hipkins said there are three layers of protection to minimise the risk once New Zealand starts its border re-opening plan at the end of February.
Here is the full statement from Hipkins:
Three layers of protection to minimise risk - PDT, vaccination and self-isolation
- Rules to come into force in time for Step 1 of the border reopening
- Self-isolation rules similar to those for domestic COVID-19 close contacts
- Groups can apply to leave self-isolation to train or practice
Traveller requirements released today mark another milestone towards the reopening of our international border, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. "Two weeks ago, we announced our reconnecting plan to make it easier to enter New Zealand and today we're releasing the requirements for travellers ahead of the first step at the end of this month," Chris Hipkins said.
"These precautions for entry have been updated in light of the latest information about Omicron and continue our approach of putting safety first, as we shift into new phases of our Omicron Response plan.
"From 28 February, travellers to New Zealand - starting with Kiwis and other current eligible travellers from Australia - will be able to enter without staying in MIQ as long as they are fully vaccinated, return a negative test before flying and spend seven days in self-isolation, taking two rapid antigen tests.
"These actions will lower the risk of COVID-19 entering the community while allowing more families to reunite, and will assist with the economic recovery and immediately address worker shortages.
"The self-isolation requirements will be kept under review, with a view to reducing them over time.
Before departure
"Before they fly, travellers will have the option of three types of pre departure tests: a PCR test within 48 hours of flying, or a supervised RAT or LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification) test within 24 hours.
"Allowing use of RATs recognises that PCR tests are difficult to get in many countries, with the lower sensitivity mitigated by halving the time people could get infected after being tested. Adding a LAMP test provides more options in a constrained global market for tests.
"Minimum vaccination requirements have been updated and will apply to travellers aged 17 years or older.
"From the end of March, a New Zealand Traveller Declaration will require travellers to complete an online declaration prior to travel and upload evidence of vaccination and a negative pre departure test. Before then, they will be manually checked by airline staff at check-in and by Customs staff on arrival.
"They will need to confirm where they are staying in New Zealand, and cannot stay in a place with shared group facilities such as a backpackers or a hostel.
On arrival in New Zealand
"On arrival at the airport, vaccinated travellers will need to download the NZ COVID Tracer app and will be given three RATs. They will then:
- Travel directly to their accommodation - avoiding visiting people and entering shops and businesses
- Wear a mask until they reach their accommodation, and ensure anyone picking them up wears a mask
- Sanitise their hands regularly and maintain physical distancing as much as possible.
Self-isolation
"The settings for self-isolation reflect public health advice that arrivals have a similar COVID-19 risk profile to close contacts of cases in the community. As a result, they will follow similar protocols as community close contacts in phase 2 of the Omicron plan.
"These include an isolation period of seven full days and reporting the results of two rapid antigen tests - one on day 0/1 and one on day 5/6. A positive result will need to be followed with a PCR test to monitor for any new COVID-19 variants.
"They can form a bubble with family or friends, who can continue to go to work or school, but must minimise contact with others as much as possible. No visitors are allowed.
"Travellers will be able to temporarily leave self-isolation in special circumstances, such as visiting terminally ill relatives, to access urgent healthcare or to attend court hearings, but will be encouraged to take a RAT if visiting a high risk location such as a hospital or aged care facility and need to follow public health measures.
"Eligible groups approved by Sports NZ or the Ministry of Culture and Heritage may train or rehearse outside of their place of self-isolation. Any approval may have specific requirements and guidance."
The full details for the traveller journey and self-isolation process for individuals and groups are here.
10:30am - Ex-Labour President Mike Williams says the anti-mandate protest will 'solve itself' because crowds are unvaxxed and not wearing masks.
The anti-mandate protest is entering its eighth day and politicians and police are pondering how to get the hoards of people to leave. The crowds have been causing chaos for Wellingtonians blocking traffic, yelling abuse and playing music late into the night.
But political Commentator Mike Williams, who was Labour president during Helen Clark's years as Prime Minister, said the police might not even need to move the group on.
"We are in the middle of a pandemic, if what is going on in front of parliament is not a super spreader event I don't know what is," Williams told the AM Show.
Read the full story here.
10:10am - The Ministry of Health has announced one new 'high risk' location of interest in Auckland.
The location is:
Sun World Chinese Restaurant Newmarket - Saturday 12 February from 7pm to 9pm
The ministry asks anyone at the restaurant at the exposure time to "self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest".
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
9:50am - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that New Zealand will move to phase two of the Omicron response at 11:59pm tonight.
As the country prepares to move to the next phase, here is an explainer of the key differences you will see.
Read the full story here.
9:25am - The Strategic Covid-19 Public Health Advisory Group chairman Sir David Skegg told RNZ Kiwis should be prepared to "fasten our seatbelts" cases could spike.
"The next few months are going to be very challenging for this country. We are going to experience something like what those other countries have," he said.
"I think we all need to fasten our seatbelts."
Skegg said his biggest worry was the slow take up of Kiwis getting the booster shot. Currently, 60 percent of people eligible for the booster shot have received it.
"I'm amazed that there are more than 1 million New Zealanders who are eligible for the booster dose who have not yet taken up this opportunity. This is crazy."
8:42am - Camilla, the wife of British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, has tested positive for coronavirus.
"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating," Clarence House said in a statement. "We continue to follow government guidelines."
The 73-year-old Charles tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time last week. Clarence House have not given an update on his condition and it did not give any further details about Camilla on Monday (local time).
Read the full story here.
8:10am - One of the world's most vaccinated populations is facing its most serious COVID scare yet.
The Cook Islands has detected its first case in the community after a traveller from Auckland tested positive for COVID-19.
AM Pacific Reporter Edward Cavanough said while 99.6 percent of the Cook Islands is vaccinated - it's still a kick in the guts.
"The Cook Islands is going to become yet another one of these Pacific countries that have shifted very quickly during this global Omicron surge from COVID free status to likely having community transmission," Cavanough told AM on Tuesday.
"The one advantage the Cook Islands has is it's effectively the most vaccinated jurisdiction on earth.
"Vaccination rates in the Cook Islands are about 99.6 percent double dosed and around 70 percent with the booster.
"This is a real concern of course, but I think they are in such a good position with such high vaccination rates to hoepfully ward off the worst outcome of this latest outbreak."
7:57am - Anti-mandate protesters are waking up on day eight of their occupation on Parliament's lawn.
Speaking to AM, reporter Ashleigh McCaul said it's a quieter morning than previous days with fewer protesters roaming the grounds.
McCaul said protesters have not been as vocal towards police and media as we have seen in the past.
7:42am - The National Party says rapid antigen tests need to be available for purchase in supermarkets and pharmacies.
Nationals' COVID-19 response spokesman Chris Bishop told AM on Tuesday that it's still not clear if he will be able to access rapid test to return to work as a critical worker if he's a close contact.
"That is a good question and there is a bit of a lack of clarity about that," Bishop said.
"Parliament has been doing a trial or rapid tests, so I actually had one a couple of weeks ago when we were on our caucus away day in Queenstown, so I have had a rapid test and MPs do have access to them but that is not a privilege mos tother people.
"My wife for example, can't just go down to a pharmacy or supermarket and buy a Rapid test to take before going out for dinner for example and that is something we think should be the case for many New Zealanders."
Bishop is calling on the Government to allow New Zealanders to bing rapid tests into the country and sell them, so they are more readily available.
"If the Government allowed people to bring them [rapid test] and sell them, then lots of those problems would go away," Bishop told AM.
"We are now dealing with a legacy of the Government that banned rapid tests for most of last year and only recently allowed people to bring them in and then only under very limited circumstances.
"There is only about 10 rapid test approved in New Zealand, in Australia, it's over 50 for example, so we could legalise those tomorrow and allow companies alongside the public sector to bring in rapid tests and flood the country with them but the Government won't do that."
Bishop said Kiwis need to get into the habit of buying rapid tests and testing before going out to social events to protect their friends and family but until they are readily available they can't do that.
"We need to get into the habit of being able to buy a test, test to protect your family, people should be able to use them before going out for dinner or visiting grandparents in rest homes," he said.
"In Singapour, they are available in vending machines. I saw someone sent me a clip from Denmark and they were going off to buy a pastry or a coffee and they were available at the counter of the pastry shop, so they picked up four-pack alongside their pastry, so why can't we have that here."
Bishop told AM that the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard's behaviour was childish and embarrassing" but said it's up to the police to end the protest.
"I'm really critically of the way the Speaker has behaved, childish and embarrassing frankly, with the playing of the Spotify playlist and putting the sprinklers on," he said.
"That is a matter for police and as it turns out, Mr Mallard didn't even bother to consult with police about what he was doing, so ultimately it's up to police to led this and it's not up to politicians like me direct them in what they should do.
"What I can do is say, what the Speaker was doing was counterproductive and ineffective. Ultimately how this gets resolved and it does need to get resolved, that is matter for police."
7:24am - Newshub has been told that the gallery member who tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test on Monday was Stuff Political Editor Luke Malpass.
He returned a positive result just moments before Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's press conference and has now returned a negative PCR test result.
7:11am - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced details about her first overseas trip since the pandemic began.
Ardern will undertake a trade focused visit to the United States in May.
The visit forms part of the government's reconnection strategy and will see the Prime Minister undertake trade engagement on the United States West Coast focused on New Zealand's high-technology export sectors.
"New Zealand is in demand internationally. A priority for our international engagement is to focus on trade opportunities that accelerate our recovery raise New Zealand's profile in key export markets," Ardern said.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will be the principal speaker at Harvard University's Commencement in May.
Further details of the visit will be shared as planning and consultation progress.
Only two Cabinet ministers have left the country since COVID-19 hit New Zealand shores in 2020 with Trade Minister Damien O’Connor and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta heading overseas.
6:45am - Speaking to AM, reporter Ashleigh McCaul said the streets around Parliament on Tuesday still look the same with protesters vehicles still blocking nearby roads.
This comes after the ground floor carpark of Sky Stadium was offered up as free parking for protesters to move their vehicles to.
McCaul said only a "handful" of cars took up the offer from Sky Stadium and protesters continue to stick to their stance of not leaving until the Government ends all vaccine mandates and COVID restrictions.
6:38am - The Cook Islands has recorded its first community case of COVID-19 on Monday evening.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said the case was not connected to the visitor who tested positive for Omicron after leaving Rarotonga and arriving back in New Zealand last Monday.
He said this person - who is currently isolated and under observation at their private holiday accommodation - arrived in Rarotonga on Thursday.
"They were a close contact of a family member in Auckland who had tested positive yesterday [Sunday] in NZ," Brown said.
"As a precaution, this person went to the Tupapa drive through to get tested today just in case.
"While she was asymptomatic, she returned a positive result in just a few hours. The case been issued an Isolation Order. The case is travelling with two others, and they will all remain in isolation until they no longer test positive for COVID-19."
Brown said the case is double vaccinated and had returned a negative PCR test prior to boarding their flight from New Zealand.
"Our extremely high vaccination rate is another factor in our favour, as it slows the spread of transmission and reduces the health impacts in those who do contract this virus," Brown said.
"I can also tell you that from the moment Te Marae Ora confirmed this person as testing positive for COVID-19, our contact tracing team swung into action to trace their movements since arriving in Rarotonga and to start identifying any potential close contacts."
Brown said Government is doing everything to keep people in the island nation safe.
"I understand that some of you may feel frightened or anxious but please rest assured that all branches of our Government are working together to deal with this situation to protect us all," he said.
"We have expected this virus, we have prepared for it, and we are ready to fight it.
"The protocols and procedures we have put in place are working and already making a difference as our various government teams and taskforces go about doing what now needs to be done to protect our communities.
"We have remained vigilant; we have caught this case - and now I ask you to remain vigilant too."
6:28am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak and the Parliament protest for Tuesday, February 15.
