The government has announced measures they are putting in place in an effort to keep Omicron out of our communities for as long as possible. One of the key measures set to impact hospitality is the announcement in principle that where workers are required to be vaccinated, that this mandate will also extend to boosters.
Measures announced today include:
- The interval between the second dose and the booster shot will be shortened from 6 months to 4 months.
- Where workers are required to be vaccinated, this mandate will also extend to boosters. For hospitality, the requirement for workers to have their booster shot is likely to be put in place from 1 March, 2022.
- The phased reopening of our border (without the requirement for MIQ) will be delayed until the end of February.
“Cabinet has therefore agreed in principle that where workers are required to be vaccinated, that this mandate will also extend to boosters. Initially, this will be for those workers most likely to come into contact with Omicron — border and health workers — who will be required to have their booster by the end of January, or not later six months after their second dose for those who were only recently vaccinated, and then to all others who are under a vaccination mandate by the 1st of March.” – Hon Chris Hipkins
The government has also advised that while they believe that once Omicron does arrive in New Zealand it will spread rapidly, it is not the intention to move to lockdowns unless absolutely necessary in the event of a widespread outbreak where our health system comes under considerable strain – and even then the strong preference is for the lockdown to be highly targeted.