News / Events

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins have announced details of travel across the Auckland Border, a transition into the COVID-19 Protection Framework, and the launch of the Vaccine Passport today. 

Auckland Border and Domestic Travel

• People who are fully vaccinated or have a negative test within 72 hours of departure will be able to travel out of Auckland from December 15, 2021. 
• The boundary is two ways, so people can also travel to Auckland and reconnect with whānau. However, they will need to be fully vaccinated, or return a negative test within 72 hours of departing Auckland.
• These restrictions will be in place for the core summer period, until January 17, 2022. Under 12s will be exempt from the Auckland border restrictions.
• Prime Minister Ardern has confirmed Aucklanders will experience a change and lowering of Alert Level restrictions before the border reopens from December 15.
• Air New Zealand's vaccine requirements will commence from 15 December 2021, meaning domestic travellers will be required to prove they are fully vaccinated, or have had a negative CVODi-19 test within 72 hours of departure.
• Inter-island ferries will also be able to require proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test, which adds to protections for the South Island.
• No decisions on the international border have been made at this stage.

Transition to COVID-19 Protection Framework

• 29 November 2021 – Cabinet will confirm the decision to move Auckland and the rest of New Zealand into the new traffic light system.
• It is expected all areas will transition to the new traffic light system soon after, and that Auckland will remain at ‘Red’ at this time.
• Auckland will move to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework alongside the rest of the country.
• Areas with low vaccination rates will move to ‘Red’ when the transition to the traffic light framework happens.

 

ScreenSafe Guidelines on COVID-19 Protection Framework

ScreenSafe are currently rewriting the Screen Industry COVID-19 Protocols in line with the upcoming COVID-19 Protection Framework (aka the Traffic Light System). While that work is underway and while we await more detailed information from the government, MoH and WorkSafe, ScreenSafe has prepared (the link below) initial guidance so our industry can start the mental shift to a new system.

ScreenSafe Initial Guidance on COVID-19 Protection Framework (17 Nov 21)

You may also find the official COVID-19 Protection Framework 'Easy Read'helpful to understand the key information of the traffic light system.

My Vaccine Pass

• The My Vaccine Pass was launched today and is now available.
• If you are fully vaccinated you can register and request your vaccine record HERE.
• The passport is essential under the upcoming COVID-19 protection Framework and will be required for accessing a range of venues, facilities, and travel providers.
• My Vaccine Pass has a QR code that can be scanned upon arrival at a venue. The pass can be downloaded to your personal phone and stored in your Apple or Google Wallet, or may be printed out.
• Businesses do not need to take any action with My Vaccine Pass until the COVID-19 Protection Framework is in place. You may then be required to check customers’ My Vaccine Pass with the NZ Pass Verifier app, depending on your sector or the choices you have made about how you will operate under the new framework.
• If you are unable to get the Pfizer vaccine for medical reasons, there is an exemption process to get My Vaccine Pass.

You can watch the full announcement from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, COVID-19 Response Minister, and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield HERE.