Dusk Chorus: PM declares Covid over
Ardern announces end of Covid mask and vaccine mandates; Seven day isolation stays for positive cases, but not for close contacts; Monday Sept 26 set as QE II memorial day
TLDR: Two and a half years after the first lockdowns, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has effectively declared the Covid-19 emergency over, announcing the removal of Government vaccine and mask mandates from as early as midnight tonight.
Masks will still be required at hospitals, GP clinics, pharmacies and aged care and other health facilities, but the mandates for mask wearing inside public spaces and on public transport will end from 11.59 pm tonight. Government vaccine mandates and requirements for travellers and aircrew to be vaccinated will also expire.
Elsewhere in the news today, Ardern announced cabinet had also decided a one-off public holiday to commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth II would be held on Monday, September 26. Australia’s holiday is on Thursday September 22 and the new one-off holiday clashes with South Canterbury’s Anniversary Day.
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