South cautiously optimistic

A NEW Covid19 level system that could lead to restrictions easing in the South Island before the rest of the country has drawn cautious optimism.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday announced the new trafficlight system to replace the current alert level system, which is likely to spell the end of national lockdowns.

It features red, orange, and green settings based on Covid spread and pressure on the health system.

The new system will begin once district health boards have 90% of their eligible populations fully vaccinated.

Ms Ardern also signalled Cabinet would be willing to move the South Island into the orange level early, once all its health board areas hit that target.

Businesses will be able to operate at each level with varying levels of restrictions, and vaccination certificates will become a major part of accessing hospitality businesses, retail, events, and public facilities.

The new system was welcomed by many in the business community, but there was still concern about a lack of clarity around timeframes for restrictions being eased.

Yesterday the Ministry of Health announced 129 new Covid19 community cases.

Southern DHB Covid19 vaccine programme lead Hamish Brown said the goal was to vaccinate at least 90% of the eligible population by Christmas.

With fewer than 11,000 people to go before hitting that goal, it was making good progress, he said.

As of yesterday, 87.4% of the eligible population had at least one dose, and 72.4% were fully vaccinated.

‘‘The more people who are vaccinated, the better our communities are protected so we hope to get this number as high as possible.’’

A new $120 million government fund has also been established to help lift Maori vaccination rates.