Mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations will now be required for large numbers of people working in the health and education sectors by the start of the year.
Health sector workers need to be fully vaccinated by December 1, while education workers need to have had both jabs by January 1, 2022.
Covid-19 Response and Education Minister Chris Hipkins told Checkpoint “there is a good chance” school will reopen for students in Auckland this year.
But he said nothing could be guaranteed with Delta.
A scenario where students do not return to school this year is a “worst-case scenario” he said. The government is assessing the risks each week.
He said if school comes back before end of year and teachers are not fully vaccinated, those staff will be tested for Covid-19 every week.
All teachers will need to be tested before returning to work, he said.
