As many of the COVID-19 restrictions like masks and lockdowns did little to stop the virus from spreading around the globe, many governments are finally doing away with the mandates. The latest happens to be New Zealand. Although the country supported COVID-19 mandates and the controversial drug, on September 13, New Zealand will retire its COVID-19 traffic light system. 

Announcing the move to do away with the restrictions, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “It’s time to safely turn the page on our COVID-19 management and live without the extraordinary measures we have previously used. Today marks a milestone in our response. Finally, rather than feeling that COVID dictates what happens to us, our lives, and our futures, we take back control. For the first time in two years, we can approach summer with the much-needed certainty New Zealanders and business need, helping to drive greater economic activity critical to our economic recovery. The most recent health advice now tells us that with the lowest cases and hospitalizations since February, our population well vaccinated, and expanded access to anti-viral medicines, New Zealand is in a position to move forward.” 

**Let’s Connect!  Join Our Community**

Among the changes citizens will see on the 13th, they will no longer need to wear a mask unless they are at a healthcare facility or nursing home. Those who have family members inside the same house will no longer need to be isolated if a person tests positive for COVID-19. The infected person is still advised to quarantine for seven days. The rest of the government’s mandates surrounding COVID-19 will end just a few weeks later, on September 27.

It should be noted that after the mandates are lifted by the government, employers will still have the ability to require masks at work or enforce the COVID-19 jab for employment. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern explained, “Some places, such as workplaces, special events, or marae, may ask you to wear a mask, but this will be at their discretion and no longer a Government requirement. Please respect those who choose to keep wearing masks as a form of protection.”


Retail NZ Chief Executive Greg Harford praised the move. “After over two years of being at the forefront of COVID-19 rules, alert level changes, low foot traffic, and nonsensical mask rules, retailers across New Zealand will be pleased with today’s revised approach. The revision today largely brings New Zealand in line with most of the rest of the world.”

Greg Harford concluded, “Keeping people locked in their houses longer than is necessary imposes real costs to them and the economy without improving our COVID-19 response. New Zealand is holding on to a long COVID hangover. It turns out an ‘abundance of caution’ is an abundance of cost for New Zealanders.”

This piece was written by Jeremy Porter on September 13, 2022. It originally appeared on RedVoiceMedia.com and is used with permission.

Read more at RedVoiceMedia.com:
I’m Sorry: A Vaccinated Apology to the Unvaccinated [VIDEO]
‘Sudden Deaths’ Of Athletes Explodes, Shocking Report Reveals Jaw Dropping Numbers
Hundreds Of Doctors From Around The World Declare COVID-19 Jabs An International Medical Crisis [VIDEO]

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette.