Labour is removing the mask and vaccine mandates which will take away the layers of protection the disabled community relies on to stay safe. Many disabled and chronically ill individuals are already struggling to leave the house due to risk of exposure and fear of the severe medical consequences. The risk is still too high, vulnerable communities have too much to lose. 

Labour needs to revoke their decision and their statements, our government needs to keep the mandates and keep our vulnerable communities safe. 

"All public spaces should be safe and accessible for everyone. We deserve to feel safe enough to be able to leave the house. We deserve to be heard and seen. The governments decision is ableist and has a complete lack of care for who the removal of masks will affect." - Bug C (they/them)

"listen to disabled people, i promise that if you actually had conversations with us, we would come to an agreement and would find a plan that everyone, including non disabled people, would be safe, and no one would be upset. but instead, everyone thinks they know what we want, without even having one tiny conversation. the disrespect needs to end, and our voices need to be heard." - Val (they/them) 

"in light of the new decision by labour government, my fear of public spaces and my fears around covid have only increased. jacinda stated that she wants to reassure us because of the protective measures in place, when she removed them. requiring masks in healthcare spaces does nothing for the disabled individual themselves, it only makes their treatment providers & clinics a little safer for us to be in when receiving essential care. " - Anon