Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The government may be close to removing the mask mandate in all but the most high-risk health settings. This week, the Ministry of Disabled People sent an email to disability support providers asking for feedback on a proposal to "significantly narrow" where masks have to be worn.
The organisations were given only 24 hours to provide feedback to the government. Disability support providers believe that if the government is considering removing the mask mandate in healthcare settings, then they will also likely be removed from other, less risky, environments like retail and hospitality.
The government here is due to consider its Covid traffic light settings in two weeks. Kathryn speaks to Melissa Smith, chief executive of CCS Disability Action, the largest disability support and advocacy organisation in New Zealand.
