Traffic Light system
New Zealand moves to a traffic light system on 3 December. This new approach to COVID-19 will introduce more freedoms for vaccinated New Zealanders.
Green
COVID-19 is across NZ, but limited community transmission. Hospitalisations at a manageable level. Health system able to respond.
General: Scanning, Masks on flights and recommended indoors. Public facilities, retail, workplaces, education open. Some outdoor community events allowed.
Vaccination certificates: no limits for hospitality, close contact businesses, some gatherings (weddings, places of worship, marae), events, gyms.
No vaccination certificates : up to 100 people and 1 m distancing for hospitality, some gatherings, events, gyms. Close contact businesses: masks.
Amber
Increased community transmissions with more pressure on health systems.
General: Scanning. Masks on flights, public transport, taxis. Masks for retail and public venues. Public facilities, retail open with 1m distancing. Workplaces, education open. Some outdoor events allowed.
Vaccination certificates: no limits for hospitality, some gatherings, events, close contact businesses. Gyms open.
No vaccination certificates: 1m distancing required for contactless hospitality. Up to 50 people and 1m distancing for some gatherings.
Not open: close contact businesses, events, gyms.
Red
Health system facing unsustainable number of hospitalisation.
General: Scanning. Masks on flights, public transport, taxis, retail, public venues and recommended if leaving the house.
Open with 1m distancing: public facilities (up to 100 people), retail. Schools and ECE open with restrictions. Some restricted outdoor events allowed. Working from home encouraged.
Limits, if vaccination certificates used: up to 100 people, 1m distancing: hospitality, some gatherings, events, gyms. Public health requirements for close contact businesses. Vaccinations required for delivery to tertiary institutions.
If vaccination certificates not used: Restrictions: hospitality (contactless only), some gatherings (up to 10 people). Tertiary institutions allowed distance learning only. Not able to operate: close contact businesses, events, gyms.
Key dates
- 17 November – My Vaccine Pass is made available to the public.
- 29 November – Cabinet will confirm the decision to move Auckland and the rest of New Zealand into the new traffic light system.
- 2 December - At 11:59pm, all of New Zealand will move to the traffic light system. Auckland will move to Red. Settings for the rest of New Zealand are yet to be decided on.
- 15 December – People travelling out of Auckland will need to be fully vaccinated, or have a negative test 72 hours prior to departure, to leave Auckland and visit other parts of the country. This requirement will remain in place during the core summer period, until 17 January 2022.