We know face masks are unsuitable for some people due to a disability or health condition. It is not always obvious why wearing a face covering is unsuitable for someone. For example, people who are exempt may have been victims of crime or might suffer from a mental illness or condition that is not apparent to the outside observer.
There is no legal requirement for people to carry a communication card, though many choose to do so. A communication card has been developed that you can show to transport operators, retailers and service-providers. Communication cards make it easier whenever you need to explain that a face mask is unsuitable for you.
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The evidence shows we are coming off the Omicron peak with cases in Auckland having already declined significantly, and a decline expected nationally by early April.
To date we have had more than 500,000 reported cases of COVID-19 and expert modellers say there have probably been 1.7 million actual infections. That figure, coupled with 95 percent of New Zealanders being fully vaccinated, means we now have a high level of collective immunity.
New Zealanders have worked incredibly hard to get through this pandemic and as a result of those efforts we are now in a position to move forward and change the way we do things.
First up we have simplified the COVID-19 Protection Framework to target restrictions at those activities that reduce transmission the most.
Click here to read the full update

Nearly a million more rapid antigen tests are being made available and easier to access in schools and early learning centres from today.Schools, kura and early learning centres will now be provided with rapid antigen tests to give to symptomatic children, young people and staff, and the people in their households.
The Ministry of Education currently has several hundred thousand tests to hand and will receive nearly a million more over the next week to be distributed through its regional offices. Schools, kura and early learning services can opt-in to receive a supply of tests.

​Click here to read the full update

The opening of the border to tourists has been brought forward, in a move that will help accelerate the economic recovery from COVID-19.The Government is bringing forward the date for opening the border to tourists in time for the Australian school holidays, in a move that will help accelerate the economic recovery from COVID-19.
From 11:59pm Tuesday 12 April, Australians will be able to travel to New Zealand isolation-free, and then 2 and a half weeks later from 11:59pm Sunday 1 May, vaccinated travellers from visa-waiver countries such as the large tourist markets of the UK, US, Japan, Germany, Korea and Singapore, and those with valid visitor visas, will be able to arrive.

Click here to read the full update

The isolation period for COVID-19 cases and their household contacts will be reduced from 10 to 7 days.

• COVID-19 cases and Household Contacts to isolate for a week
• Two negative rapid antigen tests required for household contacts
• 250,000 Novavax vaccines here, people can book from tomorrow.

We remain committed to reducing the spread of Omicron to protect our health system and each other. However high case numbers and household contacts, and the current 10 day isolation requirement, is having a wider impact on many parts of our lives.
There needs to be a balance between effectively controlling the outbreak and the flow-on effect for business and essential goods and services such as transport and food supply.
The most up to date public health advice is that there is a decline in infectiousness of Omicron over time, and that in most cases transmission occurs within 7 days.
Our primary objective is to stop the chain of transmission as much as possible to manage the spread of Omicron. 7 days isolation will break the vast majority of potential transmissions, while ensuring people can get back to work quicker and therefore reducing the impact on business operations.”

The change will come into effect from 11:59pm Friday 11 March.

Click here to read the full update

Emergency ambulance services across New Zealand have recorded the highest ever call volumes to the 111 ambulance communications centres over the weekend.At its peak on Sunday, St John and Wellington Free Ambulance recorded 2,322 calls for help nationwide into its ambulance communications centres in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch -- about 100 more calls a day than the previous record.
With high staff absentees due to illness across the ambulance communications centres and call volumes expected to remain high, anyone calling 111 for an ambulance can expect a delay before their call is answered.
With the increase in demand impacting ambulance staff in the 111 communications centres and on the frontline, St John and Wellington Free Ambulance are asking the public to only phone 111 for an ambulance in genuine emergencies.

If people are feeling unwell, or need health advice, they should call their regular health provider -- for example, their GP, Healthline, or use our website and consider alternative methods of transport to medical facilities for non-urgent conditions.

Click here for the full update

More Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) collection points are being established in some of our biggest cities to meet continued demand.On Saturday, 34,000 RAT orders were placed through the RAT requester site. Another 3.5 million RATs were sent out to collection sites around the country on Sunday. A total of a further 8 million RATs arrived in the country over the weekend.
The Ministry is working with DHBs so that 90% of the population will be able to collect their pre-ordered RAT within a 20 minute driving distance if they are symptomatic or in a household with someone with symptoms.
To meet this goal, there are already 300 collection points across the country and more are planned for this week.

Click here to read the full update

To ensure continuity of service during the ongoing COVID pandemic, Pathlab laboratories are again asking that all requestors ensure that they choose wisely with test requests. Omicron, as in all industries, is now affecting our staffing levels and by default, our operations. 

Click here to read the full Clinical Update