COVID-19 protection framework – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

Hospitality staff are no longer required to wear masks. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

September 15, 2022

With most mandatory public health measures gone, is New Zealand well prepared for the next COVID wave?

Michael Plank, University of Canterbury and David Welch, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

The decision to remove the testing requirement for international arrivals seems shortsighted. All outbreaks in Aotearoa have been caused by new variants coming across the border.

February 1, 2022

The most challenging phase of the Omicron outbreak is yet to come, but New Zealand may be better prepared than other countries

Matthew Hobbs, University of Canterbury; Anna Howe, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Lukas Marek, University of Canterbury

New Zealand has managed to stamp out onward transmission of the Delta variant, which means it’s not dealing with a “double epidemic” and has a better chance to tackle Omicron’s spread.

December 1, 2021

Verification will be essential as New Zealanders start using vaccine passes – to stop fraud and the spread of COVID

Andrew Chen, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Vaccine passes are easy to fake. Unless venues and businesses make sure to verify them and check the identity of the pass holder, COVID will likely continue to spread.

November 29, 2021

As Aucklanders anticipate holiday trips, Māori leaders ask people to stay away from regions with lower vaccination rates

Dion O'Neale, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Andrew Sporle, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Emily Harvey, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Steven Turnbull, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Vaccination and testing requirements will limit the number of infected people leaving Auckland, but cases are likely to spread across the country as people travel in the lead-up to the holiday season.

October 26, 2021

New Zealanders are super-connected. When restrictions lift in Auckland, it won’t take much to amplify Delta’s spread

Dion O'Neale, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Emily Harvey, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; James Gilmour, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Steven Turnbull, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

A model of a “virtual” Aotearoa shows even a few new connections will lead to a complex web of transmission which could fuel the spread of the Delta outbreak.

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