As of 11:59pm on Thursday 24 February, the way COVID-19 is managed in the community changed. With more people testing positive and hospitalisations rising, we have now moved into phase 3. Because so many of us are vaccinated New Zealand is better-positioned than most countries to respond to Omicron. That means a more devolved response, and much greater self-management.
 
There are 3 major changes to how phase 3 will be managed:
 
Isolation
 
Close contacts will no longer be required to self-isolate and only confirmed cases and household contacts of a confirmed case will be required to do so. Confirmed cases and household contacts should isolate for 10 days but can now self-release after day 10, providing any testing requirements are met. If they develop symptoms, they are encouraged to test sooner.
 
The critical worker exemption scheme announced this month will enable eligible household contacts to return to work during their isolation periods by returning a daily negative Rapid Antigen Test.
 
Testing
 
With millions of RATs now distributed around the country to testing sites, GPs, pharmacies and within workplaces, RATs will become the primary form of testing. You can now access a RAT from hundreds of locations around the country, making getting a test much easier and over the coming days the number of access points will increase significantly.
 
Locations which have RATs available can be found on the HealthPoint website: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/. PCR testing will be reserved for people where it’s clinically indicated they need it. 
 
Contact tracing
 
We’re now moving to a stance of greater self-management. This includes use of a new self-investigation tool which will support positive cases to self-notify contacts.
 
Because only household contacts are required to isolate, the tool will help track high risk exposure events or locations. Contact tracing teams will now focus on identifying and tracing those who have visited these high-risk location such as hospital or aged care facility.
 
There will be continued support for those members of our community who are not digitally set up.
 
You can find more information about how to self-manage COVID-19 here:
https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/care-in-the-community/
 
It has also been noted that there are over one million Kiwis who are eligible for their booster vaccination, who have not yet got their shot. The government says that, while two shots is good protection for Delta, three shots is recommended to mitigate the effects of the current Omicron outbreak. To find out more about boosters, and where you can get yours, go to: https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/how-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccination/getting-your-booster-dose/
 
For now, the government are asking all New Zealanders to get boosted, wear a mask in indoor settings and outside when you can’t distance from others, and reduce contact as much as is practical. Also, in the coming days take steps at home and with your family, neighbours and community to make a plan to be ready. Resources to help you do this are on the Unite Against Covid-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/be-prepared-for-covid-19/
 
People who test positive for COVID-19 should call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice.