Coronavirus: New Zealand rules out lockdown when Omicron arrives; Indonesia dumps 1 million shots
- PM Ardern said when Omicron starts to spread in the community, a ‘red’ traffic light setting would be imposed, which will see limits on public gatherings
- Elsewhere, Thailand will resume its quarantine-free travel scheme from February 1 after it was suspended due to the Omicron outbreak
New Zealand’s tight controls and geographic advantage has helped it remain free of the Omicron variant in the community, although many cases have now been reported at quarantine facilities at the border.
A “red” traffic light setting would be imposed within 24 to 48 hours of Omicron arriving in the community, Ardern told a news conference, which would mean masks would be mandated and there would be limits on public gatherings.
“When we have evidence of Omicron sending in the community we will not use lockdowns, instead the whole country will move into Red within 24 to 48 hours,” Ardern said, adding that Omicron would eventually arrive.
“We know from other countries it can take as little as 14 days for Omicron cases to grow from the hundreds into the thousands,” she said.
“It’s a case of when not if, and that is why we need to prepare,” she said.
