4. Question No. 4—COVID-19 ResponseDr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister for COVID19 ResponseQuestion No. 4—COVID-19 Response4. Dr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister for COVID19 Response: What recent decisions has the Government made on New Zealand's transition to the COVID-19 Protection Framework?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Yesterday Cabinet confirmed that the whole country will move into the new traffic light system at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday 2 December making next Friday the first day that the traffic light system will be operational in New Zealand. That's 10 days from now and it's important that everybody gets prepared. Members will be aware that we signalled that soon after the 29 November Cabinet meeting the country would shift to the new framework. Setting this date now gives people communities and businesses time to prepare to move safely and smoothly into the new traffic light system. The hard truth is that Delta is here and it isn't going away but New Zealand is very well set to tackle that because of our high vaccination rates and the latest safety measures that we've put in place including the traffic light system and the vaccine pass.Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: When will decisions be made on where regions will move to in the framework and what factors will determine this?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Decisions on which colour each region will move into the framework will be confirmed when Cabinet meets on 29 November. In making these decisions we'll be looking at a range of factors including vaccination rates and certificates and the general case rates of COVID-19. As we've previously said Auckland will enter at red and the Prime Minister has confirmed again today in the House that no region will start at green while we are transitioning and managing the current outbreak. We recognise the fact that we're in a transition environment and we would like to avoid regions being in a position where they're yo-yoing between the levels.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Just keep them all red! Silly argument.Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: What can New Zealanders do to prepare for the transition to the new framework?SPEAKER: Order! Before the member goes—I know Mr Brownlee hasn't spent a lot of time with us recently but there have been some new rules in the last four or five years—Hon Members: Ha ha!SPEAKER: —Order!—about not interjecting while questions are being asked.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Thank you Mr Speaker. While life will feel relatively normal under the new system which is simpler and safer than the alert levels it is time that we prepare to move. The number one thing that New Zealanders can do—and every New Zealander over the age of 12 can do this—is to get vaccinated. If you and your family are due for your second shot get it as soon as you can. Vaccine passes will operate in the traffic light system and if you aren't fully vaccinated you'll find that you may not be able to access a range of places like bars gyms and restaurants from 3 December when proof of vaccination will be required. Eighty-three percent of eligible New Zealanders are now fully vaccinated and armed with their vaccine pass 3.5 million Kiwis could soon start to enjoy the freedom of the summer season.Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: What further work is the Government doing in preparation for the commencement of the framework?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Cabinet has also decided that to ensure that the transition to the new system is as smooth as possible and to iron out any issues with the use of vaccine passes in advance of them being required on a widespread basis we'll undertake a trial period by allowing hairdressers and barbers in Auckland to open from this Thursday 25 November so long as they require proof of vaccination from their customers. We'll be posting and sending out detailed sector guidance but in short hairdressers will need to operate with vaccine passes take bookings only—so no walk ins. We've chosen hairdressers to trial the passes because out of all the venues that are still closed they pose the lowest risk by reopening. There are fewer staff employed generally numbers in the space are constrained by the number of chairs and hairdressers available and distancing between customers can be easily maintained.Chris Bishop: In relation to what he's just said about hairdressers opening early is he aware of why the Prime Minister ruled that idea out over the weekend when the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield signed the gazette—Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern: No I did not.Chris Bishop: —notice on Friday last week—SPEAKER: Order! The Prime Minister—if the member's made an incorrect assertion either she can leave her Minister to deal with it or she can take a point of order. She can't correct errors while he's speaking.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Mr Speaker the Prime Minister made no such claim.