Changes to eligibility for free COVID-19 healthcare

From 13 February, you may need to pay for COVID-19-related visits to your healthcare provider.  If you are at risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19 you will still get free healthcare.  With the Omicron variant circulating, most people can recover at home. This is due to very high vaccination … Read more

COVID-19 Vaccine for young children aged 6 months to 4 years

Children aged 6 months to 4 years who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 can get a free COVID-19 vaccination.  Young children get a children’s (paediatric) version of the Pfizer vaccine. It has a lower dose and smaller volume. It is also given using a smaller needle.  To … Read more

Take steps to stay COVID-19 safe this summer 

The 7-day isolation requirement for positive cases remains.  Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 while away from their home this summer is permitted to travel back to their home only by private or work vehicle.  The current face mask mandate for visitors in some healthcare settings remains in place.  The Government … Read more

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms while visiting New Zealand 

Find out what you need to do if you develop COVID-19 symptoms while visiting New Zealand.  On arrival in New Zealand, we recommend you test for COVID-19 if you have symptoms. You must isolate for 7 days if you test positive. Welcome Packs containing rapid antigen test kits are available for … Read more

What happens if you test positive for COVID-19?

What to expect if you test positive for COVID-19. This includes getting your results, contact tracing, what you need to do, and support you will get.  Getting your results  Testing positive is nothing to be embarrassed about — it can happen to anyone. COVID-19 doesn’t care who it infects.   If … Read more

Wearing a face mask

Face masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of virus particles:  spread by someone with COVID-19  inhaled by people near them.   There are some places you may have to wear a face mask, like healthcare settings (GPs, hospitals, etc.). Make sure you stay up to date … Read more

Travelling to New Zealand  

New Zealand’s borders are open. Find out what you need to do when travelling to New Zealand.   About travelling to New Zealand  To travel to New Zealand, you need to meet several requirements.   The steps below explain what evidence you need to provide to enter New Zealand.  You no longer … Read more

Isolating at home 

If you test positive for COVID-19, you need to self-isolate. When you need to isolate  You only need to isolate if you test positive for COVID-19.  Isolation can be at your home or at suitable alternative accommodation.   How long you need to isolate  You will need to self-isolate for at … Read more

Medicines to treat COVID-19 

COVID-19 antiviral medicines can help people who are at risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19.  Taking antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19  COVID-19 antiviral medicines are available to treat eligible people who have tested positive or are a household contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 at home.  … Read more

Updates to the COVID-19 response

With cases and hospitalisations low, access to new medicines, and high vaccination levels, it’s now safe to move on from the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system). From 11:59pm on 12 September 2022, the COVID-19 Protection Framework will be removed. Protecting lives and livelihoods remains the goal of the Government’s … Read more