We move to Phase Three of the CPF Red settings at 11.59pm Thursday the 24th of February.

Although New Zealand is moving to Phase 3 of our Omicron response, we are still at Red under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

As such, the same mitigation measures to reduce spread of COVID-19 remain in place: vigilance about symptoms and staying away if unwell continue to be a priority.

Moving to Phase 3 will ease some of the pressure on our testing and contact tracing services over the next three to six weeks, while helping to ensure critical services and supply chains remain operational and our economy keeps moving.

Because so many of us are now vaccinated and Omicron is less severe, we can have a more devolved response and much greater self-management. Care and support will continue to be there for those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.

At Phase 3, close contacts no longer need to isolate.  

If you get a notification from your school or through the NZ COVID Tracer app that you are a close contact, you should monitor your symptoms for 10 days.

If you develop symptoms get a test, and isolate until you get your result. 

From tomorrow Friday 25th February, if you are currently a close contact and are part way through your isolation, you do not need to complete your 10 days isolation and can return to school. You do not need to get a negative COVID-19 test. If you develop symptoms overnight or in the morning, do not go to school, stay away and get a test.  

If you live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you are considered a household contact and will need to isolate for  10 days.  

You must get a test on Day 3 and Day 10 of your isolation.  If you develop symptoms you should get a test sooner. You can return to school on Day 11 if you have had two negative tests and not developed symptoms.  

PCR tests will be reserved for higher risk cases. Most people will have rapid antigen tests (RATs). Supervised RATs will be available at clinics from today. You will not need to follow up a positive RAT test with a PCR test to be considered a confirmed case. 

The peak of the omicron wave is expected to be between 3 – 6 weeks away. We are planning to move online during periods when there are acute staff shortages, some may also have a cohort of students being supervised to complete online learning at school. We could also use techniques such as rostering home and finishing early to ensure that staff absences, workload and wellbeing can be managed. 

Let's get through this together.