Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand is likely to move into the next phase of the Government's Omicron response in the next few days.
Speaking with AM on Monday, Ardern said the country will move to Phase 2 when the country sees around 1000 cases a day. That's likely to be soon given New Zealand recorded a record 810 cases on Sunday.
"Today we will be discussing as a Cabinet and with our public health officials the movement to phase 2. You will remember the time frames we put around that were cases so we said roughly in the order of when we hit 1000 [cases]. So now is the time to be having this discussion."
She said businesses could plan for the move within days.
What does phase 2 look like?
There are several key differences in the second phase including changes to managed isolation and increased use of rapid antigen tests (RATs).
When the country moves to the new phase the isolation period will be reduced to 10 days for cases and 7 days for contacts.
Household contacts will be managed by contact tracing services and close contacts will require a PCR test on day 5.
The Government has also introduced a close contact exemption scheme which kicks in at phase 2. The scheme exempts participating critical workers from isolation requirements if they return daily negative tests.
An online register has been set up and businesses will be able to self-assess to determine if they meet the criteria as a critical service. Registration will include a declaration and the Government warns this can be checked.
The scheme means critical workers who are asymptomatic will be able to return to work early with a negative rapid antigen test. But symptomatic people and other close contacts will still be required to use PCR tests.
Health authorities will also shift their focus to those who are at the greatest risk of severe illness in the new phase.
"A rapid escalation in case numbers and the resulting pressure on our resources will also require us to shift from identifying all infected individuals to being more targeted to those most at risk and those needed to keep the country going," the Unite Against COVID website states.
"Cases will be notified via text message and be directed to an online self-investigation tool which will focus on high-risk exposures. Information will be provided via email and phone-based interviews will still take place where it’s required. Other forms of support will be available to those who need it."
Critical services listed by the Government include food production and its supply chain, key public services like health and emergency services, lifeline utilities such as power and water supplies, transport, critical financial services, news media, social welfare, and human and animal welfare.
Earlier in the month Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said businesses that decide they want to partake in the scheme will need to be aware that bringing close contacts into the workplace comes with risks.
"While the new scheme will help businesses continue to operate, rapid antigen testing is about 80 percent accurate. This may mean they have someone onsite who has COVID-19 and could infect other workers, which could further compromise business operations."
Any worker participating in the scheme must be vaccinated and if they return a positive test, will have to undertake a PCR test and then isolate.
"We know isolation is the best way to stop the chain of transmission so businesses and workers involved in the scheme will need to continue to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus by complying with daily symptom checks, and other health measures while at work," Dr Verrall said.
"Workers will also be expected to remain in isolation outside of work hours as they will in many instances be living with household members who have Omicron."
