COVID-19 FAQs Q. What COVID-19 rules are still in place now that vaccine passes are no longer required, and I don’t need to scan in when I visit venues? A. At the ‘Red’ setting of the traffic light system, you still need to wear a mask in most indoor settings, including on flights, in retail settings, some gatherings, in schools if you are Year 4 or above, and on public transport. Mask use is encouraged elsewhere. You should also keep up good hand hygiene practices and maintain physical distancing where possible. 200 people can now attend indoor gatherings, and there’s no limit on outdoor gatherings. At ‘Orange,’ you do not need to wear masks outside, but you will be asked to wear them in some places like flights and on public transport. You are also encouraged to wear masks in other settings where it may not be possible to maintain physical distancing. You should also keep up good hand hygiene practices and maintain physical distancing where possible. There are no limits on any gathering sizes. At ‘Green’ there are no restrictions, including no enforcement of mask wearing. However, you are encouraged to wear a mask in high-risk settings or if it is hard to maintain physical distances. Q. When do I need to get a COVID-19 test? A. You should get tested if you are unwell with cold or flu symptoms, or someone in your house has COVID-19. If you are unwell, seek a test immediately. If it is negative, and you still feel unwell 24 hours later, please take another test. If someone in your house has COVID-19, test on day three of their isolation and day seven – unless you have had COVID-19 in the past three months. If you have had COVID-19 in the past three months, you do not need to test or isolate if you are well. If you have had COVID-19 recently, and develop new symptoms more than 28 days later, please test again. Count your 28 days from when your symptoms started or when you tested positive, whichever came first. If the test is positive, you are a new case and must isolate. Q. When should I get a nasal swab (PCR test) as opposed to a rapid antigen test (RAT)? A. Most people in New Zealand will get rapid antigen tests. These tests produce a faster result and are more convenient because you can do them in your home or workplace. If you take a PCR test in the three months following recovery, you are likely to get a positive result even if you do not have a new infection. This is because this type of test is very sensitive, and you still have the virus in your system. If you need a PCR test for any reason in this period, you can talk to your doctor about getting a medical exemption. You can find out more about RATs on the Ministry of Health website: https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/assessmentand-testing-covid-19/rapid-antigen-testing-rat Q. If I’ve already had COVID-19 and been released from isolation, then someone I live with tests positive, what do I do?
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