Testing removal means domestic protections needed

The Green Party says the removal of pre-departure testing for arrivals into New Zealand means the Government must step up domestic measures to protect communities most at risk.

“We have been clear from the outset that the Government’s response to the pandemic must keep everybody safe on an equal basis,” says Green spokesperson for COVID-19 response Teanau Tuiono.

“The pandemic is not over. COVID is still very much in our communities, and with the removal of pre-departure tests, the Government needs to step up domestic measures to protect our vulnerable communities from long-term disease.

“Minimising harm from COVID and other illnesses set to make a comeback in our communities must start with our tamariki and their families. We call on the new COVID-19 response Minister, Ayesha Verrall, to implement a COVID Action Plan for schools.

“Schools are at breaking point with critical staffing shortages and massive student absences due to illnesses. The Government must bring back indoor masking in schools - and provide free N95 masks for both children and teachers.

“Experts and health professionals are calling for this. It’s time for an expert-led plan to support children’s access to education, and protect children, school staff, and their families from COVID-19 and other winter respiratory infections.

“A COVID Action Plan for schools needs to be part of a plan to put in place stronger baseline protections to keep those most at risk safe from Omicron, as well as additional protections for spikes in infections and any new variants, particularly as we head into winter,” says Teanau Tuiono.

ENDS

Action

Protect Nature

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing Aotearoa. Volu...

Action

Save Auckland's Climate Budget

Sign the petition to stop Mayor Wayne Brown's proposal for dangerous cuts to climate and environmental programmes that protect us from extreme weat...

Action

No New Mines 2023

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Trains for Climate

Add your name to our open letter urging the Minister for Finance Grant Robertson to save our passenger trains between Wellington, the Wairarapa and...

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

It's time: A Ministry for Rainbow Communities

Join our call asking the Prime Minister to establish a Ministry for Rainbow Communities that can champion Rainbow issues.

Action

No new mines on conservation land

Sign the open letter asking Labour Ministers to stick to their promise of banning new mining projects on conservation land.

Action

Allow community ownership of our buses

Public transport is an essential service and helps to tackle the climate crisis by reducing our carbon emissions. But there are barriers to communi...

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Education Announcements

Story

Time to get serious on delivering for families

The Green Party calls on the Government to get serious about supporting families.

Greens back striking teachers

The Green Party stands with ECE teachers striking for better funding and conditions.

Every party needs to step up on school lunches

Labour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up.

Free school lunches paid for with a wealth tax

The Green Party will expand free school lunches and pay for it with a fair tax system.

Greens back striking secondary teachers

The Green Party backs secondary teachers resuming strike action.

ECE extension Green win nearly 10 years in the making

The Green Party is today celebrating Budget 2023 funding extending free ECE to two year olds.

Story

Government gets it right on COVID settings

Maintaining the current COVID-19 isolation requirement is the right decision, the Green Party says.

Summer COVID plan needed

The Green Party has been left wondering if the Government signed off for the summer break before putting in place a COVID plan.

COVID inquiry disappointingly narrow

The Green Party welcomes a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic – but is disappointed with the narrow scope.

Lasting public health measures needed for COVID response ahead of future waves

Winding down COVID powers does nothing to change the fact that stronger public health measures are needed to protect our immunocompromised and disa...

Vital public health measures still missing from COVID response

Strong public health measures are more vital than ever, the Green Party says as the Government removes many longstanding COVID-19 restrictions.

Better long-term planning needed for COVID

COVID-19 is here to stay and so the Government needs to put in place long-term protection measures, including mandatory ventilation standards, the ...