New Zealand's COVID-19 traffic light system is under review in light of the Omicron outbreak.
The three-tier system was originally designed during last year's Delta outbreak and put into effect in December as Auckland transitioned out of lockdown and District Health Boards (DHBs) around the country saw their vaccination rates climb towards 90 percent double dosed.
But the emergence of Omicron - a far more transmissible variant of COVID-19 than Delta, albeit understood to be not as severe - has had some epidemiologists suggesting it's not fit for purpose.
At the Governance and Administration Select Committee on Wednesday, MPs were told that the COVID-19 Protection Framework settings - the official name for the traffic light system - have been placed under review.
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) COVID-19 Response Group deputy chief executive Cheryl Barnes said they were "at the direction of Cabinet having a look at the COVID Protection Framework particularly in light of Omicron and where any adjustments may need to be made in the future".
She expects to report back to ministers in the next month or two.
"That will include a look at the use of vaccination certificates as part of that framework."
Under questioning from National COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop, Barnes said her group was "constantly reviewing and advising as things change".
"We did that under the alert levels framework and we have done that under the new COVID Protection Framework," she said.
"There were some changes you would have noticed with regards to the arrangements for mask-wearing under the red settings As new information comes to light and as we understand more from the science and the evidence, we reflect that in our advice."
After New Zealand moved to the framework's red light setting in January following detection of Omicron cases in the community, the Prime Minister announced proper masks - no bandanas or scarves - need to be worn and would have to be in most indoor settings.
Barnes said officials are constantly looking at overseas experience and evidence.
At red, vaccination passes play a big role in determining the number of people permitted at gatherings, hospitality venues and events. If passes are being used, 100 people can be in the same space, but that falls down to 25 people if certificates aren't in play. Hospitality can only operate contactless if the vaccine pass isn't used.
Days ahead of the Omicron outbreak, epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker warned that the alert level system - which includes stay at home orders and limits what businesses can operate - may be needed again to deal with the new variant.
"We really need something that looks a lot more like the alert level system, we may need to move to something resembling alert level 3 for a period if we get a very intense outbreak, and that's simply to avoid it overwhelming the health system," he said.
