Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand (2022)
The following is a timeline of events relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand during the year 2022. It details significant policy changes, outbreaks, vaccination milestones, and impacts on daily life.
January:
- January 1: New Zealand’s border remains closed to most international travelers. Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) is still in place.
- January 23: Community transmission of the Omicron variant is detected in Nelson. The country moves to the Red setting under the COVID-19 Protection Framework ("traffic light system"). Increased mask mandates and gathering limits are introduced.
- January 27: The Government announces a three-stage plan to ease border restrictions, beginning in late February.
- Late January: The number of daily COVID-19 cases begins to rise significantly, signaling the start of a widespread Omicron outbreak.
February:
- February 3: The booster dose interval is reduced from four months to three months after the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
- February 28: The first stage of the border reopening begins, allowing fully vaccinated New Zealanders and eligible travelers from Australia to enter without MIQ. Self-isolation requirements are in place.
March:
- March 4: Mask wearing becomes mandatory for children aged 8 and over in schools.
- March 10: The second stage of the border reopening is brought forward. Fully vaccinated New Zealanders and eligible travelers from other countries are allowed to enter without MIQ.
- Mid-March: Daily COVID-19 case numbers peak at over 20,000. Hospitalisations also increase, putting pressure on the healthcare system.
- Late March: Cases begin to decline from their peak.
April:
- April 4: The pre-departure test requirement for vaccinated arrivals is removed.
- April 13: Vaccine mandates are largely removed, except for health and border workers. The "traffic light system" remains in place.
- April 30: MIQ is largely phased out for all travelers, except for a small contingency capacity.
May:
- May 16: The government announces changes to the COVID-19 Protection Framework, including removing gathering limits for outdoor events and increasing gathering limits for indoor events.
- May 21: The requirement for international travelers to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration is removed.
June:
- June 8: The government announces further easing of COVID-19 restrictions, including removing mask requirements in most indoor settings and the scrapping of the "traffic light system." A more simplified system focusing on personal responsibility and public health measures is introduced.
- June 20: Free RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) access becomes more widely available.
- Late June: A second wave of COVID-19 infections, driven by new Omicron subvariants, begins to emerge.
July:
- July: Cases begin to rise again, albeit less dramatically than the first wave. Hospitalisations also increase.
- July 25: The Government announces enhanced public health measures in response to rising case numbers, including encouraging mask wearing in indoor settings and promoting booster vaccinations.
August:
- August: The government continues to encourage vaccination and booster uptake.
September:
- September 12: The COVID-19 Protection Framework ("traffic light system") is officially removed.
- September 26: The Government announces that the remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including the seven-day isolation period for positive cases, will be reviewed in the coming months.
October:
- October: Focus shifts to long-term management of COVID-19 as an endemic disease.
- October 21: The COVID-19 Support Payment, a financial assistance program for individuals affected by the pandemic, ends.
November:
- November: The Government continues to monitor COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalisations.
December:
- December: Discussions continue regarding the potential relaxation of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including the seven-day isolation period for positive cases, in early 2023. Focus remains on vaccination and personal responsibility for managing the virus.
This timeline reflects the major shifts in New Zealand's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, moving from strict border controls and mandates to a more open and self-managed environment. The year saw the country grapple with multiple waves of Omicron and adapt its strategies in response to changing circumstances.