By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.
The government expects Auckland to move to the traffic light system later this month.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at the post-Cabinet media briefing this afternoon that Auckland is oncourse to move after the 29 November check-in.
Cabinet is due to meet that day to approve the decision.
“Moving to the new framework at that time will mean certainty for Auckland. It will mean all businesses can be open and operate, it will mean we will manage Covid safely, but differently,” she said.
She said daily cases will grow but this is not the only consideration, with hospitalisation and intensive care usage becoming more important.
Asked if the 29 November date is when Auckland can expect to move or it would be some days after the decision, Ardern said Cabinet is aware of the pressures in Auckland and will be looking to move quickly, and will be pragmatic about it.
The prime minister has also announced that Auckland will move to alert level 3, step 2 from 11.59pm tomorrow.
