The mayors of two tourism hot spots have welcomed the news Rotorua and Taupō will move out of the red Covid-19 traffic light category, though one has questioned the timing. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that Auckland will move to the orange setting at 11.59pm on December 30. Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick says the pending change to the orange traffic light setting has come as an “enormous relief”. “It gives us certainty.”Chadwick says while Christmas will still fall under red light conditions, moving into orange “will really help with picking up events”. “It couldn’t wait until January 15.”Taupō mayor David Trewavas believes the area could move traffic light settings much sooner than the December 30 date.

Source: Stuff December 14, 2021 12:08 UTC