The COVID-19 Response Minister will provide an update on mask-use, isolation requirements and vaccinations at a briefing on Thursday, the Prime Minister says.
The recent growth in community COVID-19 cases and hospitalisation has sparked concern that New Zealand may soon be returning to the 'red' traffic light setting. Modellers have warned of a significant wave of new cases as the BA.5 Omicron subvariant becomes dominant and that tougher restrictions may be required to stem the spread.
Jacinda Ardern over the last week has repeatedly said a shift to the 'red' setting wouldn't make a significant impact on the situation as the main difference between it and the current 'orange' level is gathering limits. Such restrictions wouldn't be effective as many of the new cases are from an older population less likely to attend large events, she has said.
Instead, the Prime Minister has pointed to the need for mask-use, people to follow isolation requirements, and vaccinations.
Speaking from Fiji on Wednesday, Ardern said there has been no consideration of going to the 'red' setting. She said COVID-19 Response Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall will on Thursday be "talking a little bit more about what we can do to focus even more on those three important principles".
"The consideration for us is what are the measures that will make a difference to our numbers. We know what they are," the Prime Minister said.
"Isolation if you have COVID. That markedly brings down infection rates of others. Your housheold isolating with you is equally important.
"Mask use and vaccination. Those are three things that will have some of the biggest impact on our numbers."
Ardern said that there is evidence of reinfection so Kiwis who have had COVID-19 before should also follow those guidelines.
Meanwhile, National leader Christopher Luxon this week has said the current COVID-19 framework, the traffic light system, is "way too complex and complicated" and called on the Government to set out a "clear set of rules" around where to wear masks.
The 'orange' settings do outline that masks should be worn in some indoor environments, like on public transport and in retail, but aren't necessary in hospitality.
Luxon also believes the fourth COVID-19 vaccination shot should be available to anyone "who wants it freely, like we see in Australia" and that the Government should introduce a test-to-work scheme for people in all occupations.
"I think those are basic things New Zealanders need to understand," Luxon said. "A lot of the 'what you can and can't do' gets very, very myopic and very, very confusing for people."
The fourth vaccination dose is currently available for anyone aged over 50, with the Ministry of Health saying it's "not yet needed by younger people who are generally healthy and do not have underlying health conditions". In Australia, it's available for those over 30.
There is also already a household contact test-to-work scheme in New Zealand. However, it is only currently available for workers at critical services.
