COVID-19 refresher: Ministry of Health reminds New Zealanders when they should wear a mask

The Ministry of Health is reminding New Zealanders where and when masks need to be worn, as the country sees an uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases.

There were 8395 cases reported on Monday, an increase from Sunday's 7461 reported infections.

There's now a reminder for Kiwis about the rules around wearing masks since it remains one of the "best measures" to reduce transmission of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health said.

As a general rule, it urges people to wear a mask in public indoor settings, in poorly ventilated spaces, or when it's hard to physically distance from other people.

Masks must be worn on public transport and at transport hubs like airports and bus stations, inside public venues like museums and libraries, when visiting health care services, and inside retail businesses like supermarkets and shopping malls.

The Ministry of Health said it's particularly important to mask up around more vulnerable members of the community, especially those who are older, in aged residential care, or in healthcare settings.

"The more layers of protection we put in place - such as mask-wearing, vaccinations, and staying home when sick - the more we reduce the risk of spreading respiratory viruses," the Ministry of Health said.

"Even if you're fully vaccinated, or have had COVID-19, continuing to wear a face mask is important in keeping you, your whanau and your community safe."

A full breakdown of when to wear a mask under the orange traffic light setting is available here

The Ministry of Health added other tips to help reduce people's chance of serious illness this winter, including getting the flu vaccine, what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 while travelling, and how to make sure children are protected against illnesses.