COVID-19: Legislation and Orders

Information on the legal and regulatory instruments issued by the Government to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last updated: 31 August 2023

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COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020

The COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 (the COVID-19 Act) provides a legal framework for responding to COVID-19. The Act allows the Minister for COVID-19 Response to make orders under section 11 to give effect to the public health response to COVID-19 in New Zealand.

COVID-19 Amendment Act 2022

The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Extension of Act and Reduction of Powers) Amendment Act 2022 came into effect on 26 November 2022 and scales back the government’s previous COVID-19 powers. It ensures the legal framework for public health measures reflects that New Zealand is through the emergency phase of its response.

The measures needed at the start of the pandemic to contain the spread of COVID-19 such as lockdowns and Managed Isolation and Quarantine are no longer needed as there are now a range of other tools available to manage the virus within communities such as vaccination and antivirals.

The Act retains the ability to implement some limited public health measures to manage the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and potential new variants, for example through self-isolation and mask requirements, and requirements as necessary on travellers to New Zealand.

The COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 was due to expire in May 2023 but the COVID-19 Amendment Act extends the expiry date to 26 November 2024.

COVID-19 Public Health Response (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2021

The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2021 are made under the COVID-19 Act. The regulations set out three classes of infringement offence and penalties for each class and applies the classes to the infringement offences in the COVID-19 Act.

Health Act 1956 exemption for ships

This Director-General of Health Notice exempts all ships with COVID-19 onboard from section 107(1) of the Health Act, on the condition that no other quarantinable disease is confirmed or suspected to exist onboard the ship. The exemption applies to all categories of vessels and does not undermine the existing pratique process for other quarantinable infectious diseases. 

Revoked COVID-19 orders and notices

During the emergency stage of the COVID-19 response, a range of public health orders and other regulations were made which have now expired and were not renewed as they were no longer needed.

For more information see COVID-19: Expired regulations and orders.

The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Self-isolation Requirements) Order 2022 was revoked at 12:01am on 15 August 2023.

The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Masks) Order 2022 was revoked at 12:01am on 15 August 2023.

See  the Revoked regulations and orders page for information about notices of the Director-General of Health that are revoked with effect from 28 August 2023:

During the emergency stage of the COVID-19 response, a range of public health orders and other regulations were made which have now expired and were not renewed as they were no longer needed. For more information see COVID-19: Expired regulations and orders.

The Point of Care Test Order was revoked on 28 April 2023.  See COVID-19 Public Health Response (Point-of-care tests) order 2021-revoked 28 April 2023).

Medicines Act 1981

Notice under Section 34A of the Medicines Act 1981 authorising off-label administration of COVID-19 Vaccine – Māori and Pacific people aged 40 to 49

This notice authorises the administration of a fourth dose of Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty, Tozinameran, BNT162b2) vaccine or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine Nuvaxovid after a primary course and first booster dose to Māori and Pacific people aged 40 to 49 years, to broaden access to booster doses for groups at greater risk from COVID-19 and thereby helping to manage the risks associated with the outbreak and spread of COVID-19.

Section 34A of the Medicines Amendment Act 1981 provides for the Director-General of Health to authorise the administration of already consented COVID-19 vaccines (consented under sections 20 or 23 of the Medicines Act 1981) to any people specified in the notice.

The section requires the Director-General to be satisfied that the proposed administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is an appropriate measure to manage the risks associated with the outbreak or spread of COVID-19, and to have regard to the therapeutic value of the administration versus any risks to any person of receiving a vaccine.

Notice under Section 34A of the Medicines Act 1981 authorising off-label administration of COVID-19 Vaccine – interval between second and third doses

The Notice authorises the ongoing delivery of third (or booster) doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the reduced 3-month dose interval since completion of a primary COVID-19 vaccine course.

Notice under Section 34A of the Medicines Act 1981 authorising off-label administration of COVID-19 Vaccine – fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine

The notice for at-risk groups recommended to receive a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, authorised by the Director-General of Health under s34A of the Medicines Amendment Act 1981.

Section 34A of the Medicines Amendment Act 1981 provides for the Director-General of Health to authorise the administration of already consented COVID-19 vaccines (consented under sections 20 or 23 of the Medicines Act 1981) to any people specified in the notice.

The section requires the Director-General to be satisfied that the proposed administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is an appropriate measure to manage the risks associated with the outbreak or spread of COVID-19, and to have regard to the therapeutic value of the administration versus any risks to any person of receiving a vaccine.

This notice sets out the recommended groups the Director-General has authorised to receive a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to boost immunity and continue to be as protected as possible against COVID-19. No person in these groups is required under any Order to receive a fourth dose, but those in the recommended groups will be able to access a fourth dose at any available COVID-19 vaccination site.

Notice under Section 34A of the Medicines Act 1981 authorising off-label administration of COVID-19 Vaccine Nuvaxovid

This notice authorises the administration of a fourth dose of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine Nuvaxovid on the same basis as the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty, to broaden access to booster doses for groups at greater risk from COVID-19 and thereby helping to manage the risks associated with the outbreak and spread of COVID-19.

Section 34A of the Medicines Amendment Act 1981 provides for the Director-General of Health to authorise the administration of already consented COVID-19 vaccines (consented under sections 20 or 23 of the Medicines Act 1981) to any people specified in the notice.

The section requires the Director-General to be satisfied that the proposed administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is an appropriate measure to manage the risks associated with the outbreak or spread of COVID-19, and to have regard to the therapeutic value of the administration versus any risks to any person of receiving a vaccine.

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