Covid 19
Covid-19: 5000 portable air cleaners for schools on the way
5000 portable air cleaners are on the way for schools - but they won't land in time for the start of the school year.
Just 500 are expected to arrive by March, with the rest to be delivered three… Audio
Businesses will struggle to cover 24-day leave for isolation of Covid contacts - Lawyer
It's unclear how businesses will cover a compulsory 24-day leave period for employees who have to isolate because someone they live with has mate korona.
Rātana and Waitangi Day events cancelled
The red light setting has forced the cancellation of some of the biggest events on the Māori calendar.
The Treaty Grounds will be closed on Waitangi Day, while Rātana commemorations kicked off this… Audio
Unvaccinated Thames-Coromandel mayor chairs meeting remotely
Sandra Goudie doesn't have a vaccine pass so is not allowed in the council building.
Covid-19: When will Omicron peak in NZ
Health experts are grappling with questions about how Omicron will spread through New Zealand, and when the peak might arrive.
There are predictions 15 percent of the workforce could be out of action… Audio
Cook Islands travel bubble with NZ stays open despite Omicron
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott says with the country relying heavily on the tourist industry, it's a balance between "the economy and surviving and getting through… Audio
Covid-19: Isolation rules should ease once Omicron takes off - Michael Baker
A leading epidemiologist says isolation requirements should be relaxed when Omicron is surging in New Zealand. Audio
Rātana celebrations pivot to online event in bid to help faithful stay connected
The Rātana faithful are being urged to stay away from the church's annual celebrations and tune into the event online instead. Audio
Staff at Motueka clinic linked to Omicron cases advised not to isolate
Staff at the Motueka medical centre that saw patients linked to the Omicron outbreak don't have to isolate but patients who visited the centre at the time will.
Covid-19: Coast to Coast cancelled for the first time
The Coast to Coast has been cancelled for the first time in four decades.
Organisers say it is impossible to run the two-day event under the red traffic light setting.
But they are hoping a one-day… Audio
Covid-19: City centres deserted
The red light has been turned on to stamp out the virus, but it's also stamped out visitors to CBD's around the country.
Cities like Auckland and Christchurch have been deserted as people hunker down… Audio
Covid-19: Wanaka worried over price of red level
Major events around the country are being called off thanks to stricter Covid-19 rules under the red traffic light setting.
The Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow has been cancelled for the… Audio
Covid-19: Some sectors soon to feel Omicron strain
With the whole nation now under the red traffic light setting there are limits within the hospitality sector and many events have been cancelled.
Supplies, already strained in some sectors due to the… Audio
Covid-19: Motueka medical centre patients to isolate, but staff won't
Staff at a Motueka medical centre linked to a suspected Omicron case won't have to isolate.
Patients who were at the clinic during the exposure period will. Those who visited Greenwood Health on… Audio
Covid-19: Lab workers worried they will be overrun
Lab workers are worried about being overrun when Omicron takes hold in the community.
The Ministry of Health claims labs can handle 62,000 tests a day, but that's disputed by the organisation that… Audio
Covid-19: 24 days of isolation too much for some businesses
It's unclear how businesses will cover compulsory leave of at least 24 days for employees who have to go into isolation because someone they live with has mate korona.
Anyone who lives with a… Audio
Antiviral medications may not be available until after Omicron peak
The government announced last year it had advanced purchase agreements for 60,000 doses each of Molnupiravir and Paxlovid, but neither is approved for use here yet.
Covid-19: Mainfreight studying overseas Omicron hit
Supply chains is something we've heard a lot about over recent months.
But broken supply chains is something we might hear about in the coming months if some of the grimmer predictions about… Audio
Covid-19: Ratana faithful urged to avoid church celebrations
The Ratana faithful are being urged to stay away from the church's annual celebrations and tune into the event online instead.
Citing Covid-19 concerns, the Rātana Kōmiti Marae has cancelled today's… Audio
Covid-19: Concerns anti-viral medication orders will come too late
Anti-viral medications ordered by the government may not be available until after the peak of this outbreak - if they get approval.
Last year the government announced it had bought tens of thousands… Audio
