Scanning in is out and the 100-person limit has doubled, but masks, physical distancing and handwashing are still in to combat the spread of Covid-19 across Central Otago. 

There have been plenty of changes to government restrictions around Covid-19, with the latest amendment to the traffic light system taking effect on Friday March 25.

The Ministry of Health said on the Unite Against Covid-19 website the focus was to make life simpler and as close to normal as possible, while retaining the things that were most effective at reducing the spread of the virus and protecting people. 

The traffic light settings are up for review again on April 4, when the Government will look at what colour each area of New Zealand sits in. 

Currently, this is what life at red looks like: 

• There are no limits for outdoor activities, such as gatherings and events, and food and drink businesses. My Vaccine Passes must be used until 11:59pm on April 4. 

• There is a 200-person limit for indoor gatherings and events — My Vaccine Passes must be used until 11:59pm on April 4. 

• If My Vaccine Passes are not used, the gathering limits remain unchanged.

• You do not need to wear a face mask outdoors. As a general rule, you should wear a face mask whenever you are indoors.

• Other face mask rules remain unchanged — face masks are still required in most indoor settings.

• There is no requirement to scan in, or for a business to display a QR code poster or have mandatory record keeping.

Central has not yet reached its peak for Omicron cases. For Central Otago there were 71 new Covid-19 cases and 449 total active cases yesterday.

A spokesperson for Southern District Health Board (SDHB) said it was not the time to get complacent regarding public health measures. 

“It is more important than ever to continue to wear a mask in public, follow good hand hygiene, practice physical distancing and, if feeling sick, get tested and isolate at home until you receive a negative test result.”

Mayor Tim said on Facebook Live that our region was very much still in the middle of this outbreak.

'We're now moving out of that stage where covid is amongst the pre schools, the primary schools and the high schools, which is what we've been seeing, into the older part of our population, so this is concerning . . . plainly the disease like any disease is more dangerous for the older folk."

Ministry of Health figures for the Southern region for the past day were 1212 new positive cases and 8091 total cases.

As of 8am yesterday one person was in Dunstan Hospital, eight were in Southland Hospital and 18 people were in Dunedin Hospital, including two in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Summary of the recent changes to the traffic light system in New Zealand. PHOTO: Supplied

At red there are certain places where you must wear a face mask, here is a reminder of those places; 

·      on domestic flights, public transport and in taxis

·      inside retail businesses like the supermarket, vets, petrol station or takeaways

·      inside at school (for visitors, students and teachers in Years four to 13)

·      at close proximity businesses for example the hairdresser and beauticians 

·      at hospitality businesses such as bars and restaurants (if you are seated indoors). You can remove your mask to eat and drink

·      inside public facilities such as museums and libraries (but not at swimming pools)

·      when visiting a health care service

On worker vaccine mandates, from April 4 some government mandates for workers will be removed.  

Mandates still exist for health and disability workers, prison staff and border and MIQ workers.

The mandates remain for these employees as they have contact with vulnerable people or are at risk of being exposed to new covid variants while they are at work. 

If you have concerns about Covid-19 symptoms, please call your general practice or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 at any time. If you are very unwell or are having breathing difficulties please call 111 immediately. For more information see The Central App COVID-19 section.