Covid 19

It is "inevitable" as Omicron spreads in the community there will be some impact on the supply-chain, but officials are working hard to minimise it, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says.

Summer festivals, events and the prime minister's wedding have had to be postponed or cancelled due to the country moving to the red traffic light setting from tonight.

National leader Christopher Luxon says the government went into a go-slow mode around Covid-19 over the summer, and urgently needs to increase availability of rapid antigen tests.

NSW and Victorian governments have unveiled their back-to-school plans, with a focus on rapid antigen tests and masks, while they remain adamant schools will reopen on Friday.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that the whole of New Zealand will move into the red light Covid-19 setting at midnight tonight.

Workers at Auckland City Mission are helping plan for food supply disruptions and staffing strain, in case Omicron spreads in the city.

Northlanders are being encouraged to get tested for Covid-19, with two new cases confirmed in the region.

Southern GPs have been warned they could be treating as many as 5000 Covid-19 patients a month within a matter of weeks, should an Omicron outbreak sweep across Otago and Southland.

Five flights have now been linked to the Nelson Tasman cases of Covid-19.

A South Auckland GP thinks the government has dropped the ball on ensuring doctors have access to Covid-19 rapid antigen tests.

New South Wales today reported 30 Covid-19 deaths, while Victoria has recorded the deaths of 20 more people with the virus.

Border restrictions are still needed, and MIQ will remain valuable even if Omicron is spreading widely in the community, the epidemiologist says.

Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles is "really worried" about the government's plan for an Omicron outbreak, warning the red traffic light setting will not be enough to slow the variant down.

The planned Covid-19 response has been updated to adapt for the arrival of Omicron, Manawatū health officials say.

New modelling suggests Auckland will face well over 1000 daily Omicron cases at the peak of a potential outbreak, but some are concerned the projections are underestimating the real risk.

A health expert believes a now-confirmed Omicron case in Palmerston North could have laid dormant for the duration of the person's MIQ stay and five negative tests.

An iwi development and social services leader in Taihape is urging rural people to prepare urgently for self-isolation or infection as the threat of Omicron looms.

The Bluff Oyster and Food Festival has been cancelled due to the threat of Covid-19 outbreaks and rapid changes to traffic light settings.

There are nine new cases of Covid-19 in Nelson and Tasman, all from the same household.