Covid-19 could be a firm part of our future.

Health officials are watching other countries for an idea on how to re-open New Zealand once vaccine rates are high.

The Prime Minister's confirmed it's still the Government plan to slowly lower border restrictions next year.

A Melbourne epidemiologist says the most likely approach is to aim for low cases - rather than elimination.

Tony Blakely says vaccines still don't offer perfect herd immunity.

He says we would need light restrictions - including keeping hospitality venues half full and using rapid testing.

LISTEN ABOVE