Covid 19 Omicron: Moving to red? PM Jacinda Ardern holding press conference at 11am

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Dr Ashley Bloomfield will present an Omicron replace
at 11am as we speak – signalling a doable transfer into the pink visitors gentle system.

The pair will maintain the press convention at 11am.

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Extra is predicted to be revealed concerning the presence of Omicron in New Zealand.

If the extremely contagious Covid-19 variant is discovered to be circulating, the nation shall be moved again to the pink setting of the visitors gentle system inside 24 to 48 hours, the Prime Minister has beforehand mentioned.

That may imply extra restrictions on gatherings and companies, and much fewer freedoms for individuals who aren’t but vaccinated.

It hinges on the outcomes of genome sequencing for a number of Covid instances with no clear hyperlink to the border.

An Air NZ crew member has been linked to 9 instances within the Nelson area.

Genome sequencing is being carried out to see if the person, and 9 Covid-positive folks in Motueka who’re linked to him, have the Delta or Omicron variants.

Different Omicron instances have been detected in the neighborhood in current days, some producing high-risk areas of curiosity.

The crew member was probably infectious whereas engaged on 5 Air New Zealand flights, which are actually areas of curiosity.

College of Canterbury professor Michael Plank mentioned if these instances have Omicron, it should probably set off an outbreak.

“Clearly that could be a important variety of instances and important degree of publicity on 5 flights, and with no clear hyperlink to the border that I’m conscious,” Plank mentioned.

Specialists have warned it’s only a matter of time earlier than Omicron begins circulating in the neighborhood.

The pink visitors gentle system means restrictions on the quantity of people that can attend gatherings, significantly if they’re unvaccinated, whereas companies like hairdressers will solely be capable of open in the event that they use My Vaccine Cross.

The pink gentle setting is utilized when it’s thought of obligatory to guard susceptible folks and the well being system is vulnerable to being overwhelmed.

Regardless of Omicron, the Authorities is adamant it desires kids again within the classroom for the beginning of Time period 1. Colleges can keep open in all phases of the visitors gentle system.

Schooling Minister Chris Hipkins says he desires to see extra face-to-face studying this 12 months, and colleges will take care of the virus in a different way than they’ve over the previous two years.

However he says it’s doable some colleges could have to maneuver to studying from residence if they’re understaffed as a result of so many academics have been uncovered to Covid.