As of 11.59pm, 12 September 2022, all Government vaccine mandates ended but Manaaki Kapiti services are still available to support whanau isolating.

Please remember that you can catch COVID-19 more than once or suffer a relapse a little way down the track if you don't fully kick it the first time around. If you have symptoms at any time, stay home and take a test.

We know that everyone has a different experience with COVID-19 and it’s important not to rush back into normal levels of exercise or work. You may still experience symptoms after your 7-day isolation and it’s important to give yourself time to rest and recover fully.

Start talking with your whānau now about what you will do if someone gets sick. Make sure you put the information you need in one place and that everyone knows where to find it.

If I get COVID now, what do I do:

• Isolation is the most effective way to keep case numbers low and so remains a requirement for everyone who tests positive.

• You must isolate for 7 days if you test positive for COVID-19.

• Make sure you register your RAT result at mycovidrecord.nz or by calling 0800 222 478. It’s important and will help make sure you get linked with the health and manaaki support you need.

• You can also record a RAT result on behalf of someone else aged 5 and over through your My COVID Record.

• If you’ve had COVID-19 in the last 28 days and have symptoms again, you don’t need to take a RAT. It’s likely that your symptoms relate to your initial infection. You should stay home and recover.

What happens if I’m still sick on day 7?

If you still have symptoms at day 7, you are advised to keep isolating until 24 hours after your symptoms have gone.

What happens now with my whanau or flatmates that live with me, but don’t have COVID, do they need to isolate too?

• Household Contacts do not need to isolate but should test daily for 5 days with a rapid antigen test (RAT) from the day the person with COVID-19 tested positive. If you are a household contact we suggest that, for these 5 days you should wear a face mask when you leave your home - This helps risk of infecting others.

What the deal with Masks?

• Face masks are still an effective tool for reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

• We will continue to supply them for free when picking up RATs and in many other sites.

• Masks are required when visiting healthcare facilities like hospitals, GPs, pharmacies and aged care residential facilities.

• Masks are recommended in confined places where there is a higher risk of you getting or spreading COVID-19 or other illnesses, places such as public transport or when visiting vulnerable people.

• Some places, such as workplaces, special events, or marae may ask people to wear a mask as a condition of entry. This will be at their discretion and no longer a Government requirement.

Do I still need to get vaccinated?

• It’s important to still get vaccinated after you have had COVID-19 as it helps prevent you from getting it again and offers some protection against new variants. For optimum immunity, you should wait for 3 months after your positive test before you get your next dose.

• Everyone in in Aotearoa New Zealand aged 5 and over can get free COVID-19 vaccinations.

• It's recommended you wait 3 months after testing positive before your next dose to maximise immunity.

• For information on vaccinations, visit our Getting Vaccinated webpage.

• Find your closest walk-in clinic at Healthpoint.co.nz

Is there COVID-19 medicines available to me?

• Anti-viral medicines are available for free to people at risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19. This includes any New Zealander aged 65+. For Māori and Pacific peoples, these medicines will be available for free to anyone aged 50 and over. In addition, anyone with three high-risk conditions is eligible for free anti-viral medicines. For more information on who can get antivirals, visit here.

What does it mean if I want to travel?

• Vaccination and testing requirements for all travellers arriving into New Zealand have also ended.

• People arriving in New Zealand from overseas will continue to receive free RATs at the airport and will be encouraged to test on day 0/1 and 5/6.