Covid-19 Local Government Response Unit Update – Friday 19 November 2021
Local Government Response Unit main page
Today’s update
We don’t have anything to update from the Response Unit today, as there have been no further announcements.
The Response Unit is working on shaping up guidance for the new Framework, ahead of the implementation COVID-19 Protection Framework on November 29.
In lieu of a normal update, we are sharing the COVID-19 Response Update for 17 November 2021 from the COVID Communications team at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. This update shares key information and attached resources about the Government’s response to COVID-19. If you are not currently receiving these updates but would like to, please contact Covid.Comms@dpmc.govt.nz.
Information on current cases, COVID-19 test sites and economic support
There are 198 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today. Of these 152 are in Auckland, 30 in Waikato, 5 in Northland. There are 5 new cases in Bay of Plenty, 2 Rotorua – Taupō Lakes DHB, 1 new case in each in Wairarapa, Midcentral (Palmerston North) and Canterbury.
Available testing sites can be found on the Ministry of Health website: Available testing sites.
Locations of interest can be found at Locations of Interest . This is being updated as soon as information is available.
Economic assistance is available for those impacted by the lockdown, more information available on the COVID-19 website , including details of the Business Boost package .
COVID-19 Response Update for 17 November 2021
This update shares key information about the Government’s response to COVID-19. It is intended to provide consistent information across central government, local government, CDEM and our key partners. You are welcome to share this update with others. If you would like to subscribe to receive these updates, please let us know. Updates are not necessarily sent daily, but are always sent when new key information is available.
Key things to note:
New Zealand set to move to the Covid-19 protection framework shortly after November 29th.
Auckland boundary restrictions to ease before Christmas.
My Vaccine Pass now available.
International Travel Vaccination Certificates now available.
21,000 doses of vaccine given yesterday
Cases: 88 people currently in hospitals (Auckland: 83, Whangarei: 1, Waikato:4. Seven are in high dependency or intensive care units). 194 new community cases (180 Auckland, Waikato:5, Northland: 3 Lakes: 6). There are 2 new cases at the border. More information on current cases can be found in today’s grid.
New Zealand set to move to the Covid-19 protection framework shortly after November 29th
On November 29, Cabinet will meet to confirm the decision to move Auckland, together with the rest of New Zealand, to the traffic light system.
Cabinet is making a number of decisions in the coming weeks to prepare for the shift to the traffic light framework. For example, Minister Little, Sepuloni and Verrall will set out how testing, contact tracing, care in the community and social support will be provided for those who get COVID.
The government will also release detailed individual sector guidance for the new traffic light system. This has been worked through in detail over the course of many weeks, in consultation with different sectors.
Auckland and those parts of the country with lower vaccination rates will move into the new system at Red. The rest of the country will move to Orange.
Elimination and the alert levels were never intended as a forever strategy. High vaccination rates - now 81 percent double-dosed, up from just 23 percent three months ago - afford us the ability to change our approach and move into the next chapter of our COVID-19 response.
The traffic light system is safer than the alert levels. For example, at Alert Level 2 everyone can go into a hospitality setting, seated and separated. At Red, in the new framework, you'll also have to be vaccinated which adds an extra layer of protection. In some settings, everyone over 12 years and three months may be required by businesses to show their vaccine pass.
Auckland boundary restrictions to ease before Christmas
From 15 December, people will be able travel out of Auckland for any reason. To do so, they must either be fully vaccinated, or have a negative test at least 72 hours prior to departure.
Police will perform spot checks around the southern Auckland boundary to ensure the rules are being followed. Those breaking the rules will face an infringement fine of $1000.
On the northern boundary - the gateway to Northland - police will work with iwi to ensure people can move, but also that the people of Northland have confidence in the checks that are in place.
Travellers on the inter-islander ferry departing Wellington for Picton may also be required to present their vaccine pass prior to travel. All entry points to the South Island are well-covered to stop potential spread to the region.
My Vaccine Pass now available
My Vaccine Pass is an official record of your COVID-19 vaccination status for use in Aotearoa New Zealand.
MoH, MBIE and DPMC are hosting a Biz Webinar on Vaccine Pass use in workplaces and business settings, and employment matters under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework on Friday 19 November, details attached.
Anyone aged 12 and over who has had two COVID-19 vaccinations administered in New Zealand, or who has been given a medical exemption, can now request a My Vaccine Pass. Your My Vaccine Pass will include your name, date of birth and a QR code. You can save this pass on a digital device or print a physical copy.
Anyone unable to login to mycovidrecord.health or experiencing any other issues requesting a Vaccine Pass, be reassured that the pass won't be required until we move to the traffic light system. Please be patient and wait a day or two to ease the demand on the IT system and call centre staff.
My Vaccine Pass is free to everyone in New Zealand and available from the Ministry of Health. The Vaccine Pass is created from data held in the Covid Immunisation Register (CIR) that records everyone's COVID-19 vaccinations. The system has been designed to keep your details private with vaccination proof securely coded into the QR code.
Businesses, events, organisations, community, and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement a vaccination entry requirement for customers.
Businesses offering essential services, including supermarkets and pharmacies, will not be allowed to introduce vaccination status certificate requirements.
Businesses do not need to take any action with My Vaccine Pass until the COVID-19 Protection Framework is in place. Guidance will be published on business.govt.nz about business requirements under the new framework, including verifying passes.
Requesting your pass takes just a few minutes, and will be emailed to you within 24 hours. Your pass will have an expiry date 6 months after the date of issue. The quickest way to get your pass is through your My Covid Record, but if you cannot access this service you can call 0800 222 478 — have your NHI number ready.
Read more about My Vaccine Pass
International Travel Vaccination Certificates now available
My Vaccine Pass cannot be used for overseas travel. If you are going to another country, you will need to request an International Travel Vaccination Certificate.
These comply with EU Digital COVID Certificate standards. Your certificate will have a QR code that will be scanned when you are travelling. It will include details of the COVID-19 vaccinations you have had administered in New Zealand.
You can save this certificate on a digital device, like your phone, or print a physical copy. This certificate is valid for 12 months.
Anyone 12 years and over who has had any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine administered in New Zealand can now request an International Travel Vaccination Certificate.
Read more about International Travel Vaccination Certificates
Vaccination progress
Seven DHBS have now hit the 90% first dose mark – Auckland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau, Capital and Coast, Canterbury, Southern and now Hutt Valley.
All three of Aucklands DHBs have reached 90% of first vaccine doses.
Vaccination progress by DHB as of Tuesday 16 November:
Northland 72% fully vaccinated
Waitematā 86% fully vaccinated
Auckland 90% fully vaccinated
Counties Manukau 83% fully vaccinated
Waikato 80% fully vaccinated
Lakes 74% fully vaccinated
Bay of Plenty 76% fully vaccinated
Tairawhiti 71% fully vaccinated
Taranaki 76% fully vaccinated
Hawkes Bay 78% fully vaccinated
MidCentral 80% fully vaccinated
Whanganui 75% fully vaccinated
Capital and Coast 87% fully vaccinated
Hutt Valley 82% fully vaccinated
Wairarapa 79% fully vaccinated
Nelson Marlborough 80% fully vaccinated
West Coast 74% fully vaccinated
Canterbury 83% fully vaccinated
South Canterbury 80% fully vaccinated
Southern 83% fully vaccinated
82% of eligible people in New Zealand are fully vaccinated.
78% percent of total eligible Māori population haver received at least 1 dose
89% of the total eligible Pacific population have received at least 1 dose
Further breakdowns are available on the Ministry of Health website.
Stand-up and press releases
Key messages and Business Update on My Vaccine Pass and International Travel Vaccination Certificates now available here: My Vaccine Pass and International Travel Vaccination Certificates key messages (PDF, 195KB)
Resources and information
Today’s grid and FAQs from DPMC containing detailed messaging of the above is available here: COVID-19-Message-Grid-17-November (PDF, 195KB)
Changes to contact tracing - change in close Contact category reduces periods from 14 – 10 days.
Updated self isolation guidelines - You should self-isolate for at least 10 days since your last contact or exposure to the confirmed case and until you are told you no longer need to do so by a public health official.
Updated care in the community guidelines.
