The Government has proposed scrapping mask mandates in all but the most high-risk health settings, the Otago Daily Times can reveal. The requirement for visitors to wear a mask would only extend to primary care, urgent care, hospitals, residential aged care and disability-related residential care. There would continue to be no legal requirement for mask use for health-care workers, or patients, in all health service settings. It was proposed mandates would remain in place for all people in publicly accessible areas of pharmacies. While some providers may be concerned about the proposal to lessen the requirement for mask wearing, there were other options, he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 01, 2022 21:47 UTC