Jacinda Arden announces the Covid-19 traffic light system is to be scrapped

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has announced the Covid-19 traffic light system will be scrapped at midnight tonight.

This means masks will no longer be required to be worn, aside from in healthcare and aged care facilities.

Otherwise, it's up to businesses and individuals to decide whether and when to adopt mask policies.

Ardern also announced contacts of Covid-19 cases will no longer need to isolate. Only positive individuals will need to isolate for seven days.

However, household contacts of cases would need to do a daily rapid antigen test.

All Government vaccine mandates will end on September 26, but employers can continue their own mandates.

Travellers and aircrew will also no longer be required to be vaccinated before entering the country.

In the event of a major development with Covid-19, the Government still has the ability to re-introduce measures.

However, the Government is working on a less heavy-handed Covid-19 response for the future.