Wellington:  On Friday, New Zealand will adopt "traffic light" the Covid-19 Protection Framework, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern outlining the levels at which different parts of the country will go forward on Monday.

Northland, Auckland, Taupo, and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, and Opotiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui, and Ruapehu Districts, and the rest of the North Island will move into Red, while the rest of the North Island will move into Orange, according to Ardern.

According to reports, the entire South Island would relocate to Orange. She also stated that the country will adopt a careful approach at first as it moves into the new framework. "All of New Zealand's traffic lights will be turned on on Friday," the prime minister declared. New Zealand has the lowest case and death rates in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as well as one of the highest immunisation rates in the world, she said.

The predictability and stability of traffic lights will replace the Alert Levels' unexpected lockdowns and restrictions, Ardern said, adding that schools will be open at all times and companies will be protected by 'My Vaccine Passes,' which will allow them to continue working. "There will be no new limitations on movement between regions other than the present Auckland boundary, which will be lifted on January 17," she added.

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