The New Zealand government just announced new COVID measures and restrictions as the BA.5 variant blows up, apparently.

Oh, how two years ago of them.

Jacinda Ardern's government will increase the availability of face masks and rapid tests and ramp up access to antiviral treatments.

New Zealand's current measures already require people to wear face masks in most indoor areas, but lately, they have seen more smiles and fewer masks.

And that just won't do.

Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield urged people to continue following the rules.

"We've seen a drop in that use of masks and places like supermarkets, public transport and so on. So the first thing is reiterating for people that's important," he said.

On Wednesday, New Zealand reported 11,464 cases and 729 people hospitalized with COVID-19.

Arden said the primary focus should be on isolation, masks, and vaccination.

What she doesn't seem to want to mention is that the country is more than 95% fully vaccinated.

Others call on the government to normalize masks even more and mandate them for schools.

Professor Michael Baker said, "Children should come back to mask mandates in schools. Look, for instance, at my 12-year-old daughter, who has a high-quality mask but says ‘it is very hard to wear it all day if I'm the only one."

"We need to switch to being a mask-using environment as quickly as possible."

The professor also said isolation is crucial, and anyone unwell needs to stay home.

"Going out while unwell is just like driving drunk," he said.

"You are going to kill people. You can't see the virus but it will kill."

And the Father of Year award goes to...

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