Coronavirus: New Zealand to move to the orange traffic light setting

Pandemic Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced that the whole of New Zealand will move to the orange traffic light setting from 11.59pm tonight.

Orange means no indoor or outdoor capacity limits and seated rules removed, Hipkins said. The seven-day isolation requirement for positive cases remained.

Masks are still required at some gatherings, events and close-proximity businesses such as hairdressers and retail stores. People are encouraged to wear a mask when out and about.

Masks are also no longer required in schools, though they are again still encouraged.

The country has been in the red traffic light setting since January 23, when nine cases in the Nelson/Marlborough region were confirmed as the Omicron variant.

Today's announcement comes as New Zealand's border's reopened to Australian citizens and permanent residents with thousands flying into the country.

Australian citizens and permanent residents travelling from anywhere in the world can enter New Zealand from today without having to self-isolate.

Today there are 15 new Covid-related deaths and 9,495 new community cases.

The deaths reported today take the total number of publicly reported fatalities with Covid-19 to 531 since the pandemic began.

There are 551 people in hospital, including 27 in intensive care.