The COVID-19 Protection Framework provides flexibility for businesses as New Zealand manages COVID-19 in the community.
The traffic light settings allow businesses to open and operate with flexibility while protecting our hospitals and health system.
The Framework will continue to protect New Zealanders, while also providing more certainty and new opportunities. It minimises the impact through 3 settings – Green, Orange and Red.
Red |
Orange |
Green |
---|---|---|
Red is used if there’s a need to protect both at-risk people and our health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations. |
Orange is used when the risk to our public health system has reduced. |
Green is used when most restrictions can be removed. |
Read more about face mask requirements for workers and customers
The COVID-19 Resource Toolkit has resources and signage you can easily download and use depending on what level of the COVID-19 Protection Framework your business is in.
COVID-19 Resource Toolkit(external link) — Unite against COVID-19
If the case is an employee, or a household contact, then they must follow isolation requirements.
What to do if you have a COVID-19 case at your business
Testing and returning to work during Omicron
If your workplace does not fall into one of the categories listed below, you need to follow general workplace rules:
See detailed guidance on what each level of the COVID-19 Protection Framework means for your business or service.
Backpackers, dormitories, commercial campgrounds, all other accommodation.
Barbers, beauty parlours, hairdressers, nail salons, non-medical massage, tattoo parlours, and some in-home aid, but excluding health services.
Entertainment, recreation and exercise venues including cinemas, theatres, casinos, bowling alleys, arcades, mini golf, guided walks and kayaking tours, golf and tennis clubs and courses, gyms and facilities for other indoor physical activities. This also includes businesses of these types that can be privately hired for a gathering.
All event types, including professional and semi-professional sporting events, community events, auctions, and private events.
Including cafés, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, community clubs, hired venues where food and drink is provided for consumption and places where food and drink is sold without a dining area. This does not include the manufacturing, supply or processing of food and drink (refer manufacturing or primary industries below).
Guidance if you operate in the manufacturing, processing and packaging sector.
Guidance for the agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and forestry industries.
Including libraries, art galleries, swimming pools and museums.
General retail stores (including clothing stores), agricultural supply stores, pet stores, hardware and DIY stores, dairies and convenience stores, supermarkets, greengrocers, butchers, bakers and fishmongers, farmers’ markets, petrol stations, pharmacies.
General in-home services, building and construction, maintenance services, utility connections, health and disability, social services, repair services, client consultation services, housing and housing support, animal welfare, public sector services, scientific services, union services, and film production, news and broadcast media.
Including public and private transport and passenger services, freight such as couriers and parcel services, transport and delivery of goods, as well as construction, infrastructure, and utilities work.