Overview
Get ready to gaze upon a wine list and finally say the term "bits to share" once again — Auckland's lockdown restrictions are finally easing enough to allow the city's struggling hospitality businesses to reopen.
After over three months in lockdown and widespread uncertainty over how Auckland would enter the busy festive season, Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has revealed the entire country is set to enter its 'traffic light system' from Friday, December 3, with Auckland coming out of its current lockdown level of 3.2 and entering straight into 'red'.
That's due to current infection rates within the community, the Prime Minister explained in a press conference on Monday, November 22, despite Auckland being the first city in Aotearoa to hit 90 percent vaccination.
According to updates on the Government's COVID-19 website, at Auckland's new red setting, hospitality businesses are finally allowed to open to those with vaccine certificates, but gathering limits of 100 people, physical distancing, masks and other public health measures will be in place.
The news will be a huge relief to bar and restaurant owners throughout in the city, many of whom pivoted to takeaway options and contactless delivery throughout lockdown.
Retail businesses will also require physical distancing from customers, and outdoor community events will be able to resume — again with capacity limits.
More information and details on the traffic light system are set to be released this week, as well as a law change and an app to help businesses operate under the vaccination certificate framework.
But Auckland's bars and restaurants are already preparing to open to a flood of excited visitors, with many sharing on social media bookings were flooding in already for early December. We'd recommend you get that group dinner booked in quickly.
More information about Auckland's lockdown restrictions easing and the new traffic light framework can be found on the Government's COVID-19 website.