"We know the Omicron variant can cause serious illness and death either directly or by its impact on other health conditions, particularly for our older and more vulnerable New Zealanders," the Ministry stated.
"Getting vaccinated and boosted will help reduce your risk of severe COVID-19 illness and could save your life."
As of 11.59pm on Friday, the isolation period for cases and household contacts reduced from 10 to seven days.
The change applied to anyone who was isolating at the time of the change.
- If you test positive for Covid-19, you are required to isolate for 7 days.
You do not need to be retested after your initial positive result. If you still have symptoms after 7 days, stay home if you feel unwell.
- If you are a household contact and return a positive RAT result while isolating, you will need to isolate for a further 7 days and stay home till you are feeling well.
- Other household members do not have to reset their isolation and can leave isolation on day 8, the same day as the first case can leave isolation, provided they have returned negative RAT results and are not symptomatic.
- If you've tested negative, but still feel sick or symptomatic, the Ministry strongly advises you follow public health guidance and stay home and away from public places, work and other social gatherings. You should retest in 48 hours if symptoms persist or worsen.
