The Government is likely to announce a move into Phase 3 of its Omicron response later today.
At midday, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will make an announcement outlining changes to deal with the Omicron peak.
Under Phase 3, only high-risk contacts, such as those who live with positive cases, will be deemed close contacts.
READ MORE: Omicron: What will a move to Phase 3 look like?
Chris Hipkins and Dr Ashley Bloomfield will speak at midday on Thursday, February 24. (Source: Breakfast)
Rapid antigen tests will be available at doctors and pharmacies, but only for symptomatic and critical workers.
There were 3297 new Covid-19 community cases on Wednesday.
There were 179 people in hospital with the virus, including one person in an intensive care or high dependency unit.
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