The Government makes changes to the vaccine rollout as it reveals the four-stage plan for reopening New Zealand to the rest of the world.
The Government has released its four-stage plan to reconnect New Zealand with the world , with some quarantine-free travel beginning later this year for a select few.
The country is currently sitting between steps one and two of that plan, where a full 14-day stay in MIQ is still required for travellers.
Step three is where vaccinated travellers from low-risk countries will no longer need to isolate, while those from medium-risk countries will be required to spend some time in MIQ. Step four sees quarantine-free travel for vaccinated passengers who return a negative Covid test.
Unvaccinated travellers will be required to complete 14 days in MIQ at all stages.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the rest of the year will be used to prepare for this new system, including a self-isolation pilot scheme for a small number of passengers between October and December.
RNZ has rounded up what various experts think of the border re-opening plans here .
Meanwhile, there’s little hope held for the return of the trans-Tasman bubble.
When asked what the border plans mean for travel with Australia, Ardern says the Government is still getting advice on what to do . She says the bubble won’t open if there’s too much risk to New Zealand.
Her comments came as NSW recorded another 345 Covid cases yesterday, with Canberra also going into lockdown after the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) recorded its first community case in over a year.
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Govt shakes up vaccine rollout
With vaccination rates key to the Government’s border reopening plans – and with the threat of a Delta outbreak ever present – health officials are speeding up the Covid vaccine rollout.
Anyone aged 16 or older will be eligible to book their first jab from September 1, a month earlier than planned. All New Zealanders aged 50 and over can book their first Covid vaccines from today.
The standard gap between vaccinations is also being extended from three weeks to six to help free up booking space.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says allowing more people to get their first Pfizer dose faster is important for preparing for any Delta outbreaks.
And while authorities work to prevent any future spread of Covid-19, local researchers are calling for those who have had the virus to come forward and help them find out how long immunity against the disease lasts .
The Christchurch researchers are hoping to spend the next few years monitoring the health of thousands of people and also discover Covid’s long-term effects on the heart.
Charges over port worker's death
The Maritime Union says charges filed against the Ports of Auckland over the death of an employee will have major implications for all Kiwi workers.
Pala'amo (Amo) Kalati was killed in August last year after being crushed by a container during an overnight shift.
Charges have been laid against both the port and an unnamed individual . It’s the second time in a year the port has been charged over the death of a worker.
Security breach at cannabis company
A local medicinal cannabis company that's about to start production has experienced a major security breach .
1 NEWS has discovered THC oil and CBD oil were taken without permission from Helius Therapeutics last year but were eventually returned.
The law states companies must immediately notify police if there’s any unauthorised removal of any cannabis product and then notify the Director-General of Health within three days.
Authorities were not notified of the incident at Helius Therapeutics until six months later.
Countries sweltering through heat wave
In a week where a major new report issued a stark climate change warning, parts of the Northern Hemisphere are again struggling through dangerous heat waves.
Italy is baking in sweltering temperatures of nearly 50 degrees , with Spain and Portugal also bracing for the arrival of the extreme heat.
Meanwhile, in the US, Oregon has declared a state of emergency with another deadly heat wave forecast for the region. It comes less than two months after the Pacific north-west suffered record-high temperatures, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.
Christchurch getting bigger stadium
A new covered stadium for Christchurch is a step closer with the local council voting to reinstate its original capacity of 30,000 seats .
Councillors had previously opted for a 25,000-seat stadium as a cost-saving measure, but this was met with public backlash and a petition signed by thousands of people.
Other news of note this morning:
- A humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Afghanistan as the Taliban advances through the country at a pace faster than anyone predicted .
- Some Otago University students in Wellington could be forced to study at home for at least the next month after earthquake assessments found issues in one of their main buildings .
- Israel Dagg has become the latest rugby personality to disagree with a Hurricanes co-owner, calling Troy Bowker’s recent actions and comments “disgusting behaviour” .
- The National Party is supporting a call for tougher punishments for those found to have thrown a “coward punch”.
- House prices continued to rise in July, but there are indications the market is starting to ease , according to Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data.
- The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has found a dialogue between stand-in Magic Talk host John Banks and a caller, including denigrating comments about Māori culture, breached broadcasting standards .
- A Masterton woman has scammed trusting Kiwis online by selling the same $95 multitool 47 times over 13 days.
- And the All Blacks have named their team for this weekend's second Bledisloe Cup Test, with veteran halfback TJ Perenara making a return.
And finally...
Whether you refer to a favourite childhood game as “tag” or “tiggy” likely comes down to the part of the country you grew up in.
While many call it tag, those in the north of the North Island usually say tiggy.
But where is the geographical line where this change in the game’s name takes place? Seven Sharp’s Ben Hurley hits the road to find out .
(Don’t ever say the Morning Briefing doesn’t bring you the big issues of the day.)
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