All of the South Island and much of the North will enter the new traffic light system (formerly the Covid Protection Framework) this Friday (December 3) on the orange setting.

The new traffic light system determines restrictions on movement and gatherings across New Zealand, based on green, orange and red settings.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed this afternoon that Auckland would be on the red setting along with Northland, Taupo and Rotorua lakes districts, Kawerau, Whakatane and Opotiki district, Gisborne district, Wairoa district, Rangitikei, Whanganui, and Ruapehu districts, while the rest of the country is on the orange setting.

“Vaccination rates are one of the key factors we considered when setting a region's colour in the new traffic light system,” the PM said.

“But we also considered the following; capacity of the health and disability system in a region, testing, contact tracing and case management capabilities, transmission of Covid-19 within the community, the number of cases in regions, and how they’re spreading, and the impact the virus might have on vulnerable populations.”

The settings will be in place for two weeks with a review before the summer break on Monday December 13. Any change to the settings at that time will be in place for one month with a review in the week of Monday January 17, 2022.

Under the orange setting record keeping and scanning are required at all venues and events, and face coverings are mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, and public venues.

There will be no limits on people attending venues and events which check for vaccination certificates. Where vaccination certificates are not checked restrictions will apply to the size of the gathering.

Events, gyms and close proximity businesses (eg hairdressers) cannot operate without a vaccine certificate being required.

From Wednesday December 15 people travelling out of Auckland will need to be fully vaccinated, or have a negative test 72 hours prior to departure. This requirement will remain in place during the core summer period, until January 17, 2022.

To find out more about the traffic light system click here.

To download your vaccination certificate click here.

PHOTO: Supplied