Covid Watch

Vaccine passports are on the way. 
The Government wants a system up and running from November in time for the summer event season. 
They'd be both printable and in digital form, although you wouldn't need one for the pharmacy for example, or the supermarket. 
OK, on the face of it, so far so good. 
Especially in places where there's close contact. 
There is a growing expectation among customers that people working in hospitality, people operating taxis and buses and on planes will be vaccinated. 
Businesses see this and some are already moving towards no-jab no job, and they want to be able to display the fact that their staff are vaccinated. 
Now, the vast majority of us accept we have a responsibility to others to avoid spreading this virus. 
We'll wear a mask in a shop or on public transport no problem. 
So vaccinations, and vaccination passports, a card if you like that says 'I'm clean' don't seem too much of a stretch. 
The problem comes when you start saying people CAN'T go somewhere without the right document. 
We haven't had that need to carry documents since what, about 1945? 
Suddenly that's changing. 
Now don't get me wrong, I've had both vaccinations and I guess I'll get one of these certificates, eventually you'll need one to travel overseas, and to come back home. 
But some people won't want to, for whatever reason, and that surely has to be up to them. 
The Bill of Rights does allow limitations on people's freedom of movement and public health is a sound rationale to restrict movement. 
The tricky bit here is that once again, we're rushing this stuff at the last minute, and that never makes for good legislation.

A Kiwi celebrity chef and entrepreneur wants vaccine certificates to be a requirement at all restaurants.
They're expected to be issued from November, and will be needed for large events and festivals over summer.
The Government is still consulting on whether it would work in the hospitality sector.
Simon Gault told Mike Yardley action like this is absolutely necessary.
"I think you'll find most restaurants will embrace the thought of having a passport to prove it, I would certainly feel more comfortable going into a restaurant like that."
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The net is closing even further around the vaccine hold outs. 
The Government’s announced today it’s considering making it compulsory for anyone going to summer festivals to be double jabbed. 
It might apply also to bars and restaurants.
Air New Zealand has banned all unjabbed international travellers from their planes.
And domestic employers are begging the Government to give them legal permission to get rid of unjabbed staff.
It has sparked a lot of robust debate, especially among people who don’t want to be forced to get jabbed.
If you’re among that group, I’ve got no sympathy for you.
I totally agree with you that it is your right not to get jabbed.
But with that right comes consequences.
And these are those consequences.
Private businesses will potentially have the ability and in some cases already do to deny you access to their private-only premises or privately owned planes. 
And frankly, you should brace yourself that things are going to get heated.
People are going to get angry at you for what they perceive to be selfish actions.
The entire city of Auckland is currently locked down to give unvaccinated people the chance to get the jab.
There are business owners going broke to give you the chance to get the jab.
Once this outbreak is underway good and proper – which is a real risk – there will be people who don’t get the medical treatment they need because you are getting it because you didn’t get the jab. 
And people will consider that selfish on your part.
So, while I support your right to refuse to get the jab legally, I want to warn you that none of the rest of us wants to hear your complaining about the consequences because we are already wearing the consequences on your behalf. 
What’s been announced in the last few days is just the start of it. Get ready.

A principal says vaccines are needed to keep school staff safe.
The Government's looking at making vaccines mandatory for teachers.
Belmont Primary School Principal Bruce Cunningham told Heather du Plessis-Allan he supports it.
“I’ve got no idea about the huge range of contractors that come onto school sites, I’ve got no idea if they’re vaccinated or not, so I need to ensure the safety of my staff.”
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Clarity on vaccine passes is needed.
The Government has unveiled vaccine passes or certificates could be in use from as early as next month.
Hospitality New Zealand CEO Julie White told Heather du Plessis-Allan the hospitality industry needs more information.
“First of all, we need to see what the legislation is to help us so we don’t end up in court.”
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It's been a month since all New Zealanders over 12 became eligible for the vaccine and only 55 percent of Māori have had their first dose. 
Less than 50 per cent of eligible Māori have received their first vaccination in Northland, among the worst rates in the country. 
Auckland's Papakura Marae opened the first marae-based drive-through vaccination centre, which also provides provide wrap-around services including a testing centre and food bank. 
Papakura Marae CEO Tony Kake joined Kerre McIvor. 
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The government has laid out its plans for Covid vaccine certificates in New Zealand.
The Prime Minister has said that they will be used to lessen the risk in high-risk settings like hospitality and larger gatherings like music festivals.
NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Hamish Rutherford told Simon Barnett and James Daniels businesses will welcome the certificates.
He says this is the carrot on the other side that businesses will get a framework around the circumstances in which they can restrict entry to vaccinated people.
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One high profile Auckland restauranteur is preparing for a life with vaccine certificates.
Leo Molloy told Simon Barnett and James Daniels there seems to be a certain consensus that this is inevitable.
He says this is inevitable in transport here and around the globe, and questions why New Zealanders wouldn't prepare for this as the country vaccinates.
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Newstalk ZB's Political Editor, Barry Soper, joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels Afternoons to take us through all the details from todays 1pm Covid-19 update.
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It won't have been a surprise to see Auckland still locked down pretty tight, after yesterday's Cabinet meeting. 
The PM talked about this so-called road map, and about going safely and carefully. 
But reading between the lines, I don't think she's especially comfortable with even these tiny little changes. 
As I said yesterday, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place; we can't go forward with less than half the country vaccinated. 
And we can't stand still because the people just won't have it, they're climbing the walls. 
So the freedom, such as it is, of being able to gather in groups of 10 outdoors with no more than two households, is a very reluctant relaxation. 
And it's one that could be snatched away with a moment's notice if this thing gets away on us again. 
This, and all the other changes, will be reviewed on a weekly basis. 
When you hear that, you might think that in maybe three weeks or so we're starting to see some normality. 
But you'd be wrong; 20-odd minutes into media conference the truth emerged from Dr Bloomfield, when he said we'd be in this phase for another four to eight weeks. 
Which could mean it's the end of November before hospitality gets anywhere near normal, hopefully a bit sooner for shops to be able to open again. 
But already we're being told even this tiny little loosening of the noose could be enough to see the virus get away on us. 
And if that happens, we'll all be wondering why we went along with this massive sacrifice, only to delay what's perhaps been inevitable since the very beginning. 
We had an amazing run of luck. Is it over? 
Let's hope not, and I truly do hope not. 
But as time goes on and we keep seeing 20s and 30s of new cases every day, I'm beginning to feel a sense of futility.