Thread by @BioinfoTools

#4pmBriefing. Ardern, Robertson and Bloomfield.
(Short take as I'm starting late.)

First Ardern on Omicron.
No cases in NZ.
9 countries named as very high risk. Only NZ citizens travel direct from these, go to MIQ on arrival and take 5 tests over this time.

1/n

Research still working on what impact this variant will have yet. Existing system to manage this.

Booster start to be available today.

Move to COVID Protection Framework this week. Will not be lifting all restrictions as some countries have.

2/n

*** Levels each region will move into new system:
Most (all?) of northern and central North Island districts will move to Red.
Remainder of North Island to Orange.
South Island to Orange.
These settings stand for the first 2 weeks of the new system.

3/n

These are to start on Friday.

Cabinet will review settings on Monday 13th December, then hold those settings for roughly a month over the summer break. Reviewed again on week of Jan. 17th, then reviewed fortnightly from there on.

4/n

Vaccination levels a key factor in initial settings.

Mask, scan and pass (esp. in Red setting):
- Get your vaccine pass.
- Take your mask wherever you go, be ready to use it.
- Scan in wherever you go.

5/n

Life will be more restrictive for the unvaccinated to ensure they are protected too. [Basically, older-style protections will continue to apply to them since they are choosing not to move into the newer system.]

Advice for businesses is now up on the website.

6/n

[To Robertson for announcement on economic support. In the interests of time, I’m going to skip this.]

Q&A:

Bloomfield makes the point that computer systems to link up all the different health systems have been an issue for decades, and is something they’re dealing with.

7/n

Many questions on the home isolation system. Clearly it will have to work across the country, and allow for people who are away from home.

8/n

Are expecting country to be in Orange or Red settings over summer, reflecting a mix of transitioning to the new system, opening Auckland, and people travelling about the country.

9/n

Omicron:
Bloomfield: Looking to keep the new variant out while we learn more about it. Are re-examining border measures in case there is more they can do, e.g. length of stay, testing regime, etc.
(cont’d)

10/n

Ardern acknowledges our border approach differs from WHO advice, but is how we roll.

Points out advice is that basic measures like mask-wearing physical distancing, contact tracing all stay the same and help.

Will review ‘very high risk’ list as needed.

11/n

Long series of questions about vaccine equity, and how it is best done. Both Bloomfield and Ardern acknowledge the importance of this, and that it’s one of the best ways to prevent new variants. Ardern points out it’s not just donations but how to distribute,
(cont’d)

12/n

how to tackle hesitancy, and so on.
Ardern mentions work removing tariffs on vaccines for poorer nations.
Access to antivirals is another issue, and may complement hesitancy to some extent.
(cont'd)

13/n

Ardern and Bloomfield note plateauing of cases and hospitalisations. Hope these continue in Red setting, and eventually decline.
Hard to forecast, but hopeful this trend is will continue as vaccination continues to rise and today booster program starts.

14/n

Still don’t know how Delta variant made it into NZ.

Several business Qs to Robertson.

General Qs, and a reminder people in Red settings will be able to meet indoors and - use their visitors indoor toilets again…

And on that somewhat light-hearted note (?) we’re done.

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