5. Question No. 5—COVID-19 ResponseDr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 5—COVID-19 Response5. Dr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What recent announcements have been made about the COVID-19 Protection Framework setting?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Today I announced that from 11.59 p.m. tonight New Zealand will move to orange and Kiwis will be able to enjoy the long weekend with greater freedoms. Over the last six weeks we've seen Omicron cases peak in most of the country. With cases and hospitalisations now dropping we're confident that a move to orange will lock in those gains and keep communities safe while helping us get back to a greater sense of normalcy. By following the rules and each of us continuing to make some sacrifices we've continued to save lives protect whānau and loved ones and we've demonstrated what it means to be a Kiwi—that we look out for one another. Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: What will the changes to orange mean for New Zealanders?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: At orange there are now no indoor or outdoor capacity limits but there is guidance on holding safe events and face masks continue to be required in many indoor settings. Bars and restaurants are no longer required to enforce the seated and separated rules although they can choose to keep them if they wish to. The move to orange allows us to balance more freedoms for New Zealanders while keeping some of the tools we know are effective—reducing the spread of Omicron. Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: What precautions can people take in light of these changes particularly over the coming long weekend? Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It's important to note that Omicron is still in the community so there is still risk. I urge everyone to continue to be cautious and to think about the health of others who they may come into contact with but especially those who are immunocompromised or who are at higher risk of long-term health impacts from infection. I would encourage people to use rapid antigen tests where that's appropriate; continue to wear their masks where that's appropriate or required; and of course to get vaccinated if they're not already vaccinated and to get a vaccination booster if they haven't taken up the opportunity to do that. As New Zealanders get ready for a well-deserved long weekend it's important too that they have a plan for what they would do in case they—or someone in their family—gets COVID-19 whilst they are away from home on holiday.Dr Anae Neru Leavasa: What will the changes to orange mean for schools in particular for the use of face masks?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The orange setting allows for schools to respond to the level of risk present in their school communities and to make appropriate decisions to put additional measures in place like the continued wearing of face masks. The Ministry of Education will be encouraging schools to retain their current settings at school for tomorrow so that they have time to plan for any changes they might wish to make when students return after the school holidays. The decision to move to orange has been made based on public health advice and it reflects the fact that New Zealanders are showing clear signs that Omicron has now peaked and we're on the way down the other side.