From midnight tonight (15 Feb 2022) NZ will officially be in Phase 2 of the Omicron response.
This means isolation times are reduced.
10 days isolation if you are covid positive, self-release after this time and being 72hours symptom free.
7 days isolation if you're a close contact, with a PCR test on day 5.
Government information site for Phase 2 is here:
https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/about-covid-19/our-response-to-omicron/#phase-2
The Government has decided what businesses they consider critical, and thus can apply to be registered as a critical service and their workers benefit from being able to continue to work if they become a close contact providing negative RAT tests are achieved.
The broad categories are:
- Food production and its supply chain
- Key public services like health and emergency services
- Lifeline utilities such as power and water supplies
- Transport
- Critical financial services
- News media
- Social welfare
- Human and animal health and welfare
For applying and more information on this scheme please see the following Government site:
www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/close-contact-exemption-scheme/