News / Events

COVID-19 Update 8 November 2021 - Auckland To Move To Alert Level 3 - Step 2

Monday 8 November 2021

Following a meeting with Cabinet today Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced:

  • Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 - Step 2 at 11.59pm tomorrow, Tuesday, 9 November 2021.
  • Northland will move to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm Thursday, 11 November 2021. 
  • Waikato remains at Alert Level 3 - Step 2.
  • The Rest of New Zealand will remain at Alert Level 2.

You can watch the full announcement from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield HERE

Also in today's announcement:

  • The Prime Minister has confirmed that Aucklanders will be able to travel outside the region by Christmas, with the logistical challenges of this, and a date for Auckland borders opening will be announced next week. Vaccine certificates may be required. 
  • The Auckland region has hit 90% of first doses, and 80% of second doses, and is on track to be 90% fully vaccinated by the end of the month.
  • When Auckland's DHBs have hit 90 per cent it will be a straight move to the traffic light system, Ardern said. There won't be a lead time.
  • The Auckland region is likely to move into the new traffic light alert system soon after the November 29 check-in by Cabinet (based on current projections).
  • Six DHBs have hit 90 per cent first doses - including Auckland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau, Capital and Coast, and Southern.
  • Medsafe today approved a booster of the Pfizer vaccine. The approval was for administration for those 18+ at least 6 months after the second dose. The Covid-19 Technical Advisory Group and Ministry of Health will now provide advice to Cabinet, but the Prime Minister confirmed doses are on hand when required. 
  • Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield confirmed the model to support self-isolation at home is being resourced and expanded with the expectation that case numbers will rise. 
  • Approximately 20,000 citizens are expected to return once self-isolation requirements replace MIQ.

A reminder of the changes at Alert Level 3 - Step 2:

  • Retail can open, with customers keeping 2 metres apart, and staff and customers required to wear face coverings 
  • Public facilities like libraries and museums can reopen, with face coverings required and people keeping 2 metres apart
  • Outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people can go ahead, with the removal of the 2-household restriction. Physical distancing is strongly encouraged to help prevent the virus spreading between households.
  • Outdoor organised exercise classes, like yoga and bootcamps, can expand to 25 people, including instructors, with 2-metre physical distancing required.
  • Funerals, tangihanga, weddings and civil union ceremonies can have up to 25 people attending, as well as up to 5 staff.

Given that Level 3 requires people to work from home wherever possible it is not anticipated that the move to Level 3 - Step 2 will allow for work to resume in the screen sector. Remember to check the ScreenSafe COVID-19 page for the latest information, and if you are undertaking any work please register your production.

Correction from Friday's Newsletter
If you were unable to open the COVID-19 Vaccine Templates from Friday's newsletter you can find them on the COVID-19 Resources and Updates page of the SPADA website, or please download via the links below:

We hope this week's easing of restrictions helps to make a challenging situation a little less stressful. Take care and stay safe.

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