New Zealand Joins The World, Drops Most Covid Rules

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New Zealand will no longer require people to wear masks in indoor public spaces or to be vaccinated to work in certain roles, as the country winds down its pandemic battle and learns to live with Covid-19.

From midnight, face coverings won’t need to be worn anywhere except in health settings like hospitals and aged-care facilities, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a news conference Monday in Wellington. The framework used to specify the level of risk to the community from Covid-19 and corresponding restrictions will be scrapped, she said.

“It’s time to safely turn the page on our Covid-19 management, and live without the extraordinary measures we have previously used,” Ardern said. “Finally, rather than feeling that Covid dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our futures, we take back control.”

The move brings the curtain down on New Zealand’s pandemic response some two and a half years after measures were first implemented. 

From midnight tonight, travelers to New Zealand will no longer need to be vaccinated or forced to submit rapid antigen test results after they arrive. 

The only remaining requirement is that people who test positive for Covid-19 isolate at home for seven days. Household contacts won’t need to isolate and will just be asked to undertake a daily test, Ardern said. 

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-12/new-zealand-scraps-most-covid-rules-as-virus-battle-winds-down?leadSource=uverify wall

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Me and my workmates (hairdressers) celebrating in the group chat earlier today

Before anyone asks why it took us so long: we had some of the strictest policies in place at the start of the pandemic, were  covid free for almost a year when the rest of the world was right in the midst of the pandemic.. but because of this it slowed down our return to 'normal'. That being said, our cases were controlled to a slow, steady pace so we didn't struggle as much as other parts of the world. But we've finally reached a point where we can ditch the masks 

I'm so happy. I've been 100% all for mask wearing up until the past month or two. I actually got covid at the Trixie and Katya show a couple months back, and went to the Billie concert 2 nights ago on the floor, no masks anywhere.. so it was getting to a point where it was ridiculous to have people attending concerts, going to clubs, etc, while workers still had to mask up. We can finally breathe again YAY

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I read this article in her cute little accent 

[Morphine Prince 109,712]

The country that handled it the best in many ways. Interesting we are at this point.

It’s all about luck now and making smart decisions for yourself. That’s how it’s been in the US for so long. 

I stopped completely masking March 2022 when the omicron wave subsided. Now I only mask at work (it’s required) and I will be wearing a KN95 to Gaga’s concert. I know several people who’ve gotten covid at concerts and I don’t plan on being one of them. 

[Gaijin 444]

Waiting for Japan to open now. Actually the fact that even NZ relented might have spurred the announcement today…

Looking forward to visiting Auckland! 🤩

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Good for NZ

 

Btw not totally related but the new company I work for is from New Zealand (Mainfreight)

 

Also... I'm re-whatching a show from NZ as well (The Tribe)

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Oh wow, I forgot COVID was a thing...sheesh. I am a bit embarrassed.