Cabinet will next week review New Zealand's COVID-19 restrictions and isn't ruling out a total revamp of our settings.
"We are also looking at our settings more broadly," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said last week.
"We've been working with the traffic light system for upwards of a year now so now is the time for us to look at whether all those settings are fit for purpose. We include mask use in this analysis."
The future of mask mandates became a talking point last week after it emerged the Ministry of Disabled Peoples was asking for feedback on a proposal to drop mask requirements in all but high-risk environments like aged care and hospitals.
The Prime Minister then clarified that the Government hasn't made any decisions yet on New Zealand's future COVID-19 status. But a move to the green traffic light setting would mean mask requirements would be dropped.
Otago epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker has said mask rules are "less critical" as COVID-19 numbers come down, but disability advocates are wary about any changes to current requirements.
Do you think mask mandates should be dropped in all but high-risk settings?
Disclaimer: This straw poll is not scientific and closes after 24 hours.
