At Orange and Red traffic light settings, you legally must wear a face covering if you are a customer or an employee involving customer contact at a business or service. The Ministry of Health also strongly encourages New Zealanders to wear a mask or face covering whenever they leave their home at Orange and Red settings.
Face masks or face coverings are also mandatory on all public transport at Orange and Red settings, and on passenger flights throughout New Zealand at all traffic light settings.
If you have a respiratory condition that makes wearing a face mask unsuitable, you can request an exemption card from the Disabled Persons Assembly NZ by contacting them on 04 801 9100 or emailing them at info@dpa.org.nz
Find out more about mask requirements and recommendations at each traffic light setting here.
Last updated Tuesday 21 December 2021
There are different face masks and coverings available:
Face masks for the general public don’t need to be medical grade. Homemade, fabric, reusable and disposable masks) are all suitable.
However, for those people most at risk of severe health impacts from COVID-19, higher quality masks are recommended if leaving your home. For people who are high risk, staying at home is still the best way to protect yourself.
Respiratory patients most at risk from severe health impacts from COVID-19 are those with uncontrolled or pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, and people who have severe asthma which needs multiple medications and medical care.
For more information on the use of face masks or face coverings, visit the New Zealand COVID-19 website here
