Central Otago business owners are cautiously breathing a sigh of relief following yesterday's announcement that vaccine passes will no longer be mandatory from April 4.

The changes announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday include abolishing the limit on outdoor gatherings, and increasing the limit on indoor gatherings to 200 under the red light setting.

The limit for indoor gatherings has increased from 100, although guests still need to be seated and separated inside.

Mask use will continue, but these changes mean sports events, outdoor music events and other functions outside can all resume from March 25. 

Central Otago District Council Mayor Tim Cadogan said Central Otago was averaging around 50 Covid-19 cases a day at the moment, so urged people to remain cautious.

“We cannot let our guard down in terms of the welfare our ourselves and those around us.

“The changes the Government has made reflect that in some parts of New Zealand we are reaching a peak in terms of Covid-19 cases. It may well not be a peak here yet."

Tim said people in Central Otago would be looking forward to extra freedoms once vaccine passes were no longer required to go places.

Monteiths Brewery Bar Alexandra general manager Patricia Rangiwai-Duf said no longer having to scan vaccine passes would be amazing for businesses.

Monteiths Brewery Bar Alexandra front garden area. PHOTO: Supplied

“It’s awesome! We haven’t had to cancel many functions here and we’ve been doing everything by the book including counting people. But, these changes are great for us.

“I’m mostly excited about having our locals back, some of our builders who couldn’t come in as they didn’t have vaccine passports.

“I’ve really missed them when they haven’t been here on a Thursday or Friday night.”

Chatto Creek Tavern manager Fiona Sutherland said she was happy to be able to welcome everyone back.

“It’s a shame that it's still seated and separated, while that won’t hurt us, that will still hurt bigger places,” Fiona said.

"It feels safer here [at Chatto Creek Tavern] anyway because we have such a big outdoor area."

The Gate Cromwell general manager Glen Christiansen said he was excited to see the changes.

“We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We look forward to the quick transition to orange.”

Glen said the seated and served requirements were still hard work for the hospitality sector.  

Owner and senior therapist Jo Thomas from Radiance Skin & Day Spa in Cromwell is pleased things are returning to normal again. PHOTO: Supplied

Owner of Cromwell’s Radiance Skin & Day Spa Jo Thomas said she felt really uplifted to be able to welcome all clients into the spa again.

"I created this business as a welcoming haven for everyone, a place to escape the noise of the outside world.

"When the changes were made [so] I could not legally welcome everyone this came as a very unsettling time for me.

"Covid has taken a toll on us all, so to have a sense of normality back will be extremely welcomed," Jo said.

Read more about the changes here: Covid-19 Omicron outbreak: PM Jacinda Ardern announces changes to traffic light system, some mandates to end