Businesses and authorities across Tauranga have welcomed the government's decision to remove all mask wearing requirements and scrap the Covid-19 traffic light system.

The changes were announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday afternoon before they came into effect at 11.59pm on the same day.

All mask requirements were dropped except for those using healthcare and aged care facilities.

Retail and hospitality owners in Tauranga spoke of their relief following the announcement.

Brendon Good, owner of New World in the suburb of Brookfield, says his team were pleased to be able to choose whether they wear masks or not.

'Those of us that are doing physical work have found it really hard having masks on, so morning fill today was so much easier and more enjoyable,” he says.

New World manager Brendan Good says his team were pleased to have a choice on wearing masks. Photo: Martin De Ruyter/Stuff.

'It is totally still optional for team members and customers to wear masks if they want to.”

Connie Richards, co-owner of Elizabeth's Cafe and Larder in Tauranga's CBD, claimed she hadn't noticed many changes since the traffic light system was ditched as they 'hadn't worn masks for months”.

'Most of our customers had also stopped wearing them,” she says. 'We are just glad to see it's finally changed."

Ash Gee, owner of Miss Gee's in Tauranga. Photo: Anna Lawrence.

Meanwhile Ash Gee, owner of popular bar and eatery Miss Gee's, says she didn't think many of her customers or staff would choose to wear masks from Tuesday onwards.

'I think if anything, it's just going to reduce the confusion that customers have been experiencing for the last few months about whether they need to wear them or not,” says Gee.

'I'm hoping this will lead New Zealand into a good summer, with daylight savings around the corner and warmer weather.

'Most customers haven't been wearing masks for months, so I don't think the change in requirement will make a huge impact in trading.”

Bay of Plenty Regional Council says bus passengers can do 'what's best for them” when it comes to masks. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

On public transport passengers are now free to unmask on the city's buses, however Jen Proctor, Bay of Plenty Regional Council transport operations team lead, insists those who still wish to protect themselves should be able to do so without criticism.

'People are encouraged to do what's best for them when they use public transport,” says Proctor.

'We ask that all bus users are respectful of those people still wanting or needing to wear a mask when using our transport services.”

- Dan Sheridan and Annemarie Quill/Stuff.co.nz.