Covid 19 Delta outbreak: What traffic light system means for Bay of Plenty

River Rats Raft and Kayak owner Justin Hutton. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua tourism operators are "absolutely stoked" the Auckland border will be lifted next month, one saying it is "an absolute god-send".

But others in the community are concerned about low vaccination rates in the region and the spread of Covid once the border opens on December 15.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday people would be able to travel to or from Auckland from December 15 if they had received both Covid-19 vaccines or had returned a negative test in the past 72 hours.

She said police would make random spot checks on the roads and people breaking the rules could face an infringement fine of $1000.

Cabinet will meet on November 29 to decide when the traffic light system will replace the alert level system nationwide.

Auckland will initially move into Red, the highest level with greater protections than alert level 2. It is not clear what regions will join Auckland at Red.

It comes as seven new Covid community cases were announced in the Lakes District Health Board region yesterday, bringing the total to 14 - mostly in Taupō.

River Rats Raft and Kayak owner Justin Hutton said the closed Auckland border had been "devastating" for visitor numbers and his business had been suffering.

River Rats Raft and Kayak owner Justin Hutton said the closed Auckland border had been devastating for his business. Photo / Andrew Warner

"Having them for that sort of busy Christmas January period would be an absolute godsend for us really."

Even before Auckland and Waikato went into lockdown, the business was only running at about a third of its pre-Covid numbers, he said.

A "good chunk" of that third were from Auckland and Waikato.

"Without that, it was very very tough."

Secret Spot co-founder Keith Kolver. Photo / Andrew Warner

Secret Spot co-founder Keith Kolver said a lot of tourism operators relied on summer trade and he would be "absolutely stoked" to have Auckland and Hamilton residents back.

"I'm sure a lot of those people [who] have been stuck inside will be looking to hit the forest trails and getting a bit of fresh air pumping in their lungs and then having a quiet cider afterwards on a bean bag on a lawn at Secret Spot.

"It's just a matter of keeping everyone safe as well as keeping everyone moving and that's the balance everyone's trying to walk at the moment."

Rotorua Moteliers Association chairman Mike Gallagher said many accommodation providers were "really feeling it big time".

Auckland and Waikato borders opening would give them some "much-needed income", he said.

Gallagher said everyone needed to be vaccinated for the local economy to get back to normal.

"We all need to play this part. And if we don't it's going to bring challenges to businesses."

Rotorua Moteliers Association chairman Mike Gallagher. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua Business Chamber chief executive Bryce Heard said people coming back into town would be "positive" for business.

"Getting it done safely is the challenge."

"I know there will be some people who will be elated by the return of Aucklanders but others who will be very concerned about the spread of Covid."

"We urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they possibly can."

As of Tuesday, 74 per cent of people in the Lakes were fully vaccinated and 85 per cent had at least one dose.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said the Auckland border opening meant it was "all the more reason" to get vaccination rates up in the community.

Lakes DHB Covid-19 incident controller Gary Lees said the area's vaccination rates were "concerning" as it want to protect as many people as possible.

"The lower the vaccination rate means that the level of care for the unvaccinated and the demand on our hospital services remains high," he said.

"There is still a way to go to reach the 90 per cent milestone ... but we are encouraged by an increase in the number of people coming forward recently, with 2555 vaccinated this week.

Lees said the new system would be "our ticket to summer" and was important in reconnecting Rotorua to the world again.

Hospitality New Zealand Bay of Plenty branch president Reg Hennessy. Photo / Andrew Warner

Hospitality New Zealand Bay of Plenty branch president Reg Hennessy said he did not think there would be many Aucklanders rushing to the Bay this year.

"I think they've got to re-organise their own lives ... people will be a little bit cautious about where they travel to straight away."

On moving into the traffic light system, Hennessy said using vaccine certificates would be "hard work".

"It's just another layer of stress put on businesses and people."

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said tourism and hospitality sectors had been doing it "extremely tough".

"With Auckland being such a major domestic visitor market for us, the re-opening of the border will be welcomed."

There would "no doubt" be anxiety around the border opening, but requirements around vaccination and negative test results should help alleviate concerns, she said.

"As we move towards the new Government framework for living with Covid, getting our local vaccination rates up is also absolutely critical."

Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi was contacted for comment.

Where to get tested - Rotorua

• Rotorua Covid-19 Community Testing Centre, Kahukura Clubrooms, 1475 Pukuatua St, 9am to 3pm
• Taupō Covid-19 Community Testing Centre, 79 Miro St 9am to 3pm
• Taupō Event Centre, AC Baths Ave, 8.30am to 3pm
• Pihanga Health, 28 Te Rangitautahanga Rd, Turangi, 11am to 1pm

Te Arawa drive-through vaccination clinic opening hours:

Thu: 3pm to 8pm.
Fri/Sat: Closed.
Sun: 10am to 4pm .
33 Clayton Rd. No booking required.

Where to get tested - Taupō and Tūrangi

• Tūrangi: Pihanga Health, in the white building next to the Tūrangi Community Health Centre, 10.30am to 4pm Thursday and Friday.
• Taupō: Covid-19 Testing (Swabbing) Centre, 79 Miro St, open daily from 9am – 3pm.

Where to get vaccinated - Taupō and Tūrangi

• Tūrangi: Drive-through and walk-in vaccinations, no booking required. Tūrangi Community Health Centre back carpark accessed via Hingaia St from 10.30am to 4.30pm today, tomorrow and Friday.
• Taupō: Taupō Health Centre, 113 te Heuheu St, 8am-5pm, drop-in, open to all.
Taupō Medical Centre, 117 te Heuheu St, 8am to 6pm, drop in, open to all.
• Covid-19 Immunisation Hub, 6/29 Totara St, 8.30am to 4.30pm, last appointment 3.50pm.
Unichem MainStreet Pharmacy, Tongariro St, 6pm to 7.30pm, bookings essential.

• Testing and vaccination information is available on Health point here.

• It is also available on Lakes DHB's website here.

• Lakes DHB's Facebook page has daily updates on where to get tested.