News and notices Pānui

Districts move from Red to Orange in the COVID-19 Protection Framework

30 December 2021

From 31 December, Kawerau, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki will be joining the rest of the Bay of Plenty Region at Orange under the COVID-19 Traffic Light System Protection Framework.

From 11.59pm on Thursday 30 December, the following districts moved from the Red traffic light setting to Orange. The Traffic Lights system is the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

Those regions which moved to Orange are Auckland, Taupō, Rotorua Lakes, Kawerau, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu districts.

Northland remained at Red.

Life at Orange

At Orange, there will be community transmission of COVID-19, with increasing risks to vulnerable communities, and pressure on the health system. Learn what we all need to do.

How we protect each other

At Orange, people can continue to do everyday activities. There are restrictions to limit the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable people. But you can go to work, school, gyms, church, restaurants, and many more places. Most businesses can open with no restrictions on numbers if they choose to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, and only allow people with My Vaccine Pass to enter. If they choose not to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, there will be limits on the number of people who can be in a venue at one time.

My Vaccine Pass

You will be legally required to provide your My Vaccine Pass to enter places that have vaccination requirements in place under the traffic lights. This may include hospitality venues, events, gatherings, and gyms. You cannot be asked to provide your My Vaccine Pass to access basic needs services, such as supermarkets, public transport, and essential health care.

For more information check out the Unite against COVID-19 website.