Dated at Wellington this 11th day of March 2022.
Hon Chris Hipkins,
Minister for COVID-19 Response.
Explanatory note
This note is not part of the order, but is intended to indicate its general effect.
The amendments reduce the isolation period for COVID-19 cases, household contacts and specified close contacts from 10 days to 7 days.
The amendments also amend the definition of COVID-19 case and household contact for the purposes of the principal order to extend, from a 1-month period to a 3-month period, the period during which a person is not considered a COVID-19 case or household contact if they have previously completed a period of self-isolation as a COVID-19 case before testing positive for COVID-19 or becoming a household contact.
Existing COVID-19 cases, household contacts, and specified close contacts will get the benefit of the amendments in that—
their period of self-isolation will end early; and
an existing COVID-19 case or household contact will cease to be a COVID-19 case or household contact if they have previously completed a period of self-isolation as a COVID-19 case in the 3-month period before becoming a COVID-19 case or household contact.
Approval by resolution required
This order must be approved by resolution of the House of Representatives before the expiry of the period described in section 16(2) of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. If this does not happen, the order is revoked on the expiry of that period.
Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2019.
Date of notification in Gazette: 11 March 2022.
This order is administered by the Ministry of Health.