6 Dec 2021

Covid-19: PM defends Auckland's red light decision

From Morning Report, 7:26 am on 6 December 2021

We're into day four of the traffic light system and, for many of us, it's taking a bit of getting used to.

Vaccination passes, under the system, are required for entry in a range of public settings.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Morning Report there haven't been widespread issues with fake passes being used.

She's also defended the decision to have Auckland in a red light, amid calls from opposition leader Christopher Luxon to free up restrictions in the supercity. 

"While we're in a transition phase, we want to make sure we step into this easing carefully.

"We've seen overseas, if you pull the brakes just too quickly, it can end in disaster and a quick flip into restrictions. We don't want that," Ardern said.

Some cafés and even councils around the country are making their own decisions on how they'll operate within the new guidelines.