Experts react to PM outlining easing of health restrictions

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's announcement flagging the easing of some vaccine mandates and a move away from vaccine passes once the Omicron peak has passed is the 'right move', says one expert. At today's post-Cabinet press conference, Ardern said it looked likely New Zealand's would hit an Omicron peak in roughly mid to late March before cases rapidly declined and then stabilised at a lower level. At the point, Ardern said, public health measures could begin to be eased. 'Put simply, the reason we will be able to move away from vaccine passes and many mandates is because many more people will have had Covid. 'In the same way as coming out the other side of the peak will give us a chance to step down through the traffic light system, and ease things like gathering limits, it will also enable us to move on from vaccine passes and ease mandates in places where they are less likely to impact on vulnerable people. They will remain important in some areas, though, for some time.'