Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As we shift to the strategy of minimisation and protection, all South Islanders do need to understand that COVID-19 could soon make its way into their community. However, the traffic light system is safer than the alert level system in the context of a more highly vaccinated population. For example, currently in a region at alert level 2, everyone can go to a hospitality setting, vaccinated or not, with the level 2 restrictions of seated or separated. However, at the red level on the new framework, you'll also have to be vaccinated. That adds an extra layer of protection. In addition, there's plenty that people can do to protect themselves and their friends and their whānau, number one being: get vaccinated. That is the single best thing anyone can do to protect themselves and others from the virus. They can encourage others to get vaccinated, they can request their vaccine passes, and, of course, they can continue to follow those simple public health measures, like washing their hands, wearing a mask, and scanning in.