Covid-19: Northland to move to orange traffic light setting on Thursday night

RNZ
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces Northland will move to the orange traffic light on Thursday night, in line with the rest of Aotearoa.

Northland will move join the rest of the country in the orange traffic light setting at 11.59pm on Thursday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.

Since December 30, Tai Tokerau has been the only area in the country still under a red light setting under the Covid-19 protection framework.

The restrictions came after the region was effectively cut off from the rest of the country by the Auckland lockdown, as well as checkpoints run by police and iwi before Christmas.

Kaitāia locals wait to get their Covid vaccination during a vaccination drive in the Far North. Despite best efforts, vaccination numbers in the north still trail the rest of the country.
David White/Stuff
Kaitāia locals wait to get their Covid vaccination during a vaccination drive in the Far North. Despite best efforts, vaccination numbers in the north still trail the rest of the country.

While businesses have been busy with holidaymakers over the summer holidays, the restrictions have meant they have had to limit numbers.

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The uncertainty over the restrictions has resulted in a number of events being cancelled, including the Northern Bass Festival and Bay of Islands Music Festival.

Ardern said Northland had not seen a rise in cases over summer, and on Thursday there were no new cases of the virus to report in the region.

As of Wednesday, Northland had just six active cases of Covid-19, with 106 released from isolation in the latest outbreak.

But the region still has low vaccination numbers – it is the only area still to reach 90 per cent of residents over 12 with at least one dose.

Ministry of Health data updated on January 18 showed Northland needed to deliver 1261 first doses and 6686 second doses to double vaccinate 90 per cent.

New Zealand activist and former MP, Hone Harawira, says he is concerned about moving Northland to orange. (File photo)
Lawrence Smith/Stuff
New Zealand activist and former MP, Hone Harawira, says he is concerned about moving Northland to orange. (File photo)

The vaccination rates have worried Hone Harawira, chief executive of iwi checkpoint group Tai Tokerau Border Control.

He called the move to orange “bloody ridiculous” and said it was not supported by iwi or health authorities in the north.

“Tai Tokerau Māori suffer from a lack of access to quality health resources, and an inequitable health system,” he said.

“Tai Tokerau Māori suffer disproportionately from weakened immune systems, liver, lung, kidney and heart diseases, cancer, respiratory illnesses and diabetes – the medical conditions that are natural breeding grounds for Covid-19.”

Police and iwi stopped travellers coming into Northland before Christmas to check they were either double vaccinated or had a negative Covid-19 test – Harawira wants these checkpoints to be reinstated.
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
Police and iwi stopped travellers coming into Northland before Christmas to check they were either double vaccinated or had a negative Covid-19 test – Harawira wants these checkpoints to be reinstated.

Of particular concern were the low vaccination rates in Northland Māori, who were just 78 per cent double vaccinated – the lowest rate in the country, he said.

“And now we have Omicron, the latest and most contagious variant of Covid-19, in Aotearoa and ready to break out into the community where it will have a huge impact on Tai Tokerau Māori.”

Harawira wanted to see the police and iwi checkpoints reinstated, more incentives for vaccinations, and to keep Tai Tokerau at red until vaccination numbers reached 90 per cent double vaccinated for Māori who lived there.

However, Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said she was happy about the move.

“The traffic light system at orange allows our businesses the flexibility to be operational without restrictions on numbers where vaccine passes are being used, so we’re pleased to see Northland moving to the orange traffic light,” she said.

At the Duke of Marlborough in the Bay of Islands’ Russell, there was a feeling of great relief at the announcement, co-owner Riki Kinnaird​ said.

The change frees up what visitors can do, even though the hotel and restaurant is unlikely to reach full capacity now the peak of the season is over, he said.

“It becomes a bit more freeier. The experience is good – people can have a beer at the bar if they want.”

The ease of restrictions means the Duke of Marlborough in Russell can better serve guests and host weddings, co-owner Riki Kinnaird says. (File photo)
Supplied
The ease of restrictions means the Duke of Marlborough in Russell can better serve guests and host weddings, co-owner Riki Kinnaird says. (File photo)

Kinnaird said the change also provided more certainty for weddings and other functions booked for the busy March to April period.

The red restrictions not only meant a limit of 100 people at events, it was also limited to table service, with no dancing and no mingling.

The change also eases anxiety for restaurant staff, as they do not have to stick to only serving certain tables but doing their all for everyone, Kinnaird said.

“We have lost loads, but it means we have a chance to serve and have a good time, at least until Easter - and we will play Omicron as it comes.”

Ardern said New Zealand will move into red in the event of a community outbreak of Omicron but lockdowns will not be used.

The whole country would move to red within 24 to 48 hours if there is evidence of Omicron transmitting in the community, she said.