So, the winners and losers from yesterday's announcement - hairdressers can open as of Thursday, and spare a thought for the poor men and women behind the scissors. After more than 100 days in lockdown they will have at least 3 to 4 hundred heads to catch up on. 

I can't even begin to imagine the bargaining, pleading and horse-trading going on trying to get an appointment in Auckland.  

I enjoyed hearing the woman from Rodney Wayne on this morning; staff have been given pep talks on how to talk to clients about vaccinations and mask wearing, and a crash course in how to fix the damage from home dye jobs.  

Beauticians miss out, as do those in hospitality. Deputy PM Grant Robertson says he doesn't know why, but the Government simply acted on advice from the Health Department.  

Hairdressers are being used to trial the vaccine app that shows businesses you are in fact double vaxxed and therefore you have permission to enter the premises.   

But not beauticians, restaurants, bars and cafes. They will have to wait until December 3.   

So, hairdressers one, beauticians and hospo nil. The even bigger losers are those who had flights booked to Australia over Christmas. People who had managed to play the cruel lottery of MIQ and find a space, or who had made life plans to head to Oz for a new life across the Tasman. They have had their plans scuppered with Air NZ cancelling flights leaving thousands of would-be travellers in the lurch.   

The problem is MIQ, and according to Air New Zealand, the continued uncertainty around that. Grant Robertson talking to Mike Hosking this morning was adamant we still need to stem the flow of travellers into this country. 

It all sounds very reasonable. But you'd have to ask whether it's the vaccinated being held back yet again to protect the unvaccinated. Who doesn't want to be protected?   

I’d love to hear some feedback on the traffic light system. Are business prepared and ready to open? How are salons and barbers shops coping with the demand for services?  For those who were booked on Air New Zealand flights, how are you dealing with the news that your flights have been cancelled and do you buy the reasons for continued border controls? 

And for those regions with poor vaccination rates, and those who have chosen not to be vaccinated, if you're currently enjoying Level 2 freedoms, it's going to be a bit grim going backwards.   

No confirmation from Robertson, but certainly low-level vaccination rates make it likely you'll be going into the ‘red light district’. As one who's spent most of the last three and half months in that, you are NOT going to like it.