COVID-19 Updates
The Government continually releases information regarding COVID-19 and advice on these updates are recorded here. However, please remember to check the official websites.
For Guidelines for Operating a Bed & Breakfast under CPF (Traffic Light System) - click here
Contact information
- Business helpline - Free helpline for businesses, offering advice and access to Government business support, HR and general business advice and access to online resources and webinars. Call 0800 500 362 for North Island, or 0800 50 50 96 for South Island.
- Reporting non-compliance - Report issues and people or businesses not following advice to COVID-19 Compliance Centre
- If you have symptoms - Call Healthline if you have symptoms 0800 358 5453
- Mental Health - Need to talk? For mental health help, call or text 1737
- Immigration - Visit www.immigration.govt.nz/about-
us/covid-19 or call the Immigration Contact Centre 6am – 10pm, Monday – Friday (NZST) from landlines only on 0508 558 855, or Auckland 09 914 4100, Wellington 04 910 9915, or from overseas +64 9 914 4100 - Kiwis returning from overseas - Managed Isolation and Quarantine www.miq.govt.nz or call on on +64 4 888 1670 if you’re overseas (rates will apply) or 0800 476 647 if you’re in New Zealand (calls are free). Hours are 8am – 10pm, Monday – Sunday (NZST).
- All New Zealanders overseas are encouraged to see the advice and register on www.safetravel.govt.nz
- Healthline 0800 358 5453 or +64 9 358 5453
- For information on transport go to www.transport.govt.nz/about/
covid-19 or email essentialtravel@transport.govt.nz
Branded Assets
The COVID-19 Resource Toolkit is a central hub for all New Zealand Government Unite against COVID-19 branded assets and resources
It has lots of resources and signage you can easily download and use for your business, workplace, community group or organisation, depending on what level the COVID-19 Protection Framework is at. Materials include logos, templates, posters, videos, and social media tiles. Head to Toolkit.covid19.govt.nz and use the Login/Register button to create an account.
Order free collateral
To order free collateral for your business, community organisation or event visit the online catalogue at the Bluestar Portal. The free resources will be delivered direct to you, your business or community group.
The My Vaccine Pass Posters are currently in the following languages; Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Cook Islands Māori, Fijian, Hindi, Māori, Punjabi, Rotuman, Tongan, Hindi, Korean, Samoan. More collateral for these and other languages is currently been worked on, including social tiles.
As we learn to operate under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework more collateral will be identified and developed. These additional resources will also be uploaded in to the COVID-19 Resource Toolkit
Where to send feedback
We’re always keen to hear your thoughts, if there are assets you need or you have feedback to share on the toolkit, please let us know. You can send feedback from the toolkit once you make an account under your profile options or you can email COVID19Brand@dpmc.govt.nz
Advice - received 30 November 2021
COVID-19 Protection Framework: traffic light settings announced
This Friday, New Zealand will transition to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework (the traffic lights), as the country moves safely into the next phase of our world-leading COVID-19 response. Read the press release
The following areas will enter the new Framework at Red:
- Northland
- Auckland
- Taupō and Rotorua Lakes districts
- Kawerau
- Whakatane
- Ōpōtiki districts
- Gisborne district
- Wairoa district
- Rangitikei
- Whanganui and Ruapehu districts
The rest of the North Island (Waikato, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington) will enter the new Framework at Orange, as will the entire South Island.
A visual traffic light map with the ability to search for your local setting is available at Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz) | Traffic light map
Review of settings
Cabinet will review traffic light settings in two weeks and will provide an update on Monday 13 December. The next update will be on Monday 17 January and will continue on a fortnightly basis.
The factors that determine whether a region is Red or Orange include: vaccination rates, the capacity of the local health system, testing and contact tracing and case management, and the current case number and spread.
Travel restrictions
The Auckland land and air boundaries remain in place and until 15 December people will only be able to travel out of Auckland for permitted reasons. From 15 December, restrictions at the boundaries ease and personal travel will be permitted for any reason for travellers who have a Vaccine Pass or have a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours of travel.
There will be no restrictions on travelling in and out of the Red areas in the central and eastern North Island, but people entering these areas must follow the Red requirements.
Gatherings
Gatherings include those held at home, weddings, funerals and tangihanga, marae, social sports and places of worship.
At all colour settings, visiting whānau and friends in each other's home is permitted in line with the rules on all gatherings. Anyone hosting a gathering or party will need to make sure they are aware of the rules and requirements.
Like with businesses, if the organiser of a party or gathering chooses to use My Vaccine Pass, then they also have the obligation to check each attendee’s My Vaccine Pass. The free NZ Pass Verifier app can be used by anyone to help check passes.
If the party organiser chooses not to use My Vaccine Pass, then they will need to limit the number of people attending depending on which colour they are in. If there are people who have chosen to be unvaccinated present, the limit is 25 people at Red, and 50 people at Orange.
Business Guidance – operating under the COVID-19 Protection Framework
Get ready for the change and find guidelines about how your business can operate under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
Many industry associations and professional bodies are also providing advice, detailed guidance and resources for specific sectors. Check with the associations relevant to your work to learn more.
If you operate in an office setting, you may be interested in workforce guidance issued by the Public Service Commission for operating under the Protection Framework. The guidance covers topics including leave and pay guidance under a variety of situations, for Public Service organisations.
What do Orange and Red settings mean?
There are three key things to remember at every colour setting: Mask, Scan, and Pass.
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- Mask - take your face-covering when you leave the house and be ready to wear it.
- Scan - scan in wherever you go.
- Pass - download your Vaccine Pass and have it ready, so you can go to all your favourite places.
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Red will feel a lot like Alert Level 2, but with Vaccine Passes. A Vaccine Pass will allow for access everywhere.
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- You are encouraged to wear a face covering whenever you leave the house.
- Working from home might be appropriate for some.
- Where Vaccine Passes are required, capacity limits of 100 will apply to most activities.
- The capacity limit for public facilities including zoos, museums, public swimming pools and libraries will be based on the number of people who can visit based on 1m physical distancing.
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At Orange, face coverings will be required on flights, public transport, taxis, public venues and encouraged everywhere else. With a Vaccine Pass, access everywhere is unlimited but physical distancing rules will apply at retail and public facilities.
Read comprehensive guidance for life under the traffic light system, including information for businesses and workers, gatherings, events and public facilities, and financial support at Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz):
Life at Orange | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
Life at Red | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
Enforcement and reporting non-compliance
Any individual or organisation can report issues and people or businesses not following advice to the COVID-19 Compliance Centre. The information reported will be available to the agencies are responsible for compliance as part of New Zealand's COVID‐19 response including the Police, and WorkSafe, Customs and Primary Industries.
There will be a graduated compliance model in place to support businesses as they implement these new requirements. Businesses can expect strong feedback from their customers and competitors if they do not follow the rules.
WorkSafe will take a similar approach to how it has acted with requirements around QR codes and record keeping, using an education first approach. If a business or service then fails to make expected changes, WorkSafe may take enforcement action.
Police will have operational discretion on the enforcement of new rules due to come into effect shortly. Police have begun discussions with Iwi and other partners on these new rules and will be working with them around their plans moving forward. Fraudulent use or misuse of My Vaccine Passes will not be tolerated and authorities will act to prevent this. Police are able to enforce the legitimate use of the My Vaccine Pass. Police could be requested to check that a person’s ID matches their pass, or make spot checks at venues. If people feel their safety is at risk, they should call Police.
Work vaccination mandate
Vaccination has been mandated for workers at businesses that must use My Vaccine Passes to operate, or operate with fewer restrictions, at all levels of the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
The vaccination mandate applies to hospitality, events, close contact businesses and gyms, and to all workers including employees, contractors, sub-contractors and volunteer workers.
If your business is covered by the work vaccination mandate you are also required to check customers' proof of vaccination status. You can use the free NZ Pass Verifier app to do so.
Key vaccination requirement dates
To continue doing work in these areas, workers will need to have their first vaccination by Friday 3 December when the new COVID Protection Framework comes into effect. These workers will need to be fully vaccinated by 17 January 2022 to continue doing that work.
Employers should encourage workers to get vaccinated as soon as possible, noting that recent changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 require employers to give employees reasonable paid time off to be vaccinated.
If an employee intends to be vaccinated, but has not been able to get their first dose, businesses should consider alternatives like a short period of leave. Under recent changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000, employers must consider all alternatives that would preserve an employment relationship before giving notice of termination.
Process for unvaccinated employees
If any workers are not vaccinated by the required dates, employers will need to consider whether there are any alternatives to allow the employee to keep working (for example, rearranging work or duties, or working remotely).
If all alternatives that would preserve the employment relationship have been exhausted, recent changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 require employers to give employees at least four weeks’ paid notice of termination. If an employee has a longer notice period in their employment agreement, the longer period will apply.
Employees can get vaccinated during this four-week period and retain their employment, unless this would unreasonably disrupt the employer’s business.
Read about work covered by the work vaccination mandate at biz.govt.nz | My Vaccine Pass – work vaccination mandate
Read guidance for employees and employers on COVID-19 vaccination requirements in the workplace at Employment New Zealand | Vaccines and the workplace
Verifying My Vaccine Passes
Businesses can choose whether to require customers to have My Vaccine Passes as a condition of entry. For some businesses, this decision will affect the rules they must operate under.
Businesses choosing to do so must display posters or signage indicating to customers that entry is contingent on having a My Vaccine Pass. These can be downloaded from the COVID-19 website. Download posters for businesses and organisations.
There is no mandatory obligation on businesses to scan every My Vaccine Pass using a Verifier app. However, businesses who require customers to have My Vaccine Passes as a condition of entry must take reasonable steps to ensure that every person entering the premise aged 12 years and 3 months and older is carrying a valid My Vaccine Pass issued to that person.
Read more about requiring My Vaccine Passes for entry at biz.govt.nz | Requiring Vaccine Passes for entry
NZ Pass Verifier app
The free NZ Pass Verifier app is available now from the Apple and Google Play app stores for downloading to scan and verify digital or printed My Vaccine Passes. It can be downloaded onto a smart phone or tablet.
Further information on how to download and use the NZ Pass Verifier app is on the Ministry of Health website. This includes information on downloading, use of and technical support for the NZ Pass Verifier.
Get the Ministry of Health | NZ Pass Verifier app
Rapid antigen testing available for business
Rapid antigen tests are an option for businesses in their response to COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests offer a much faster turnaround than a laboratory PCR test (around 15 minutes compared to 2-5 days) and can provide an additional level of protection for a business’s workers, contacts, and customers.
They’re not mandatory and won’t be suitable for everyone. It’s up to you to choose whether you want to use rapid antigen tests in your business. Businesses need to pay for rapid antigen tests themselves.
From 1 December businesses that choose to use rapid antigen tests for surveillance testing will be able to directly source approved tests from the following authorised suppliers (all are nasal swabs):
Roche Diagnostics NZ Ltd
Abbott Rapid Diagnostics
Pantonic Health (Australia) or Arrotex Pharmaceuticals (NZ) Limited
EBOS Group Ltd.
From 15 December, if you don’t want to buy tests directly from these authorised suppliers you’ll be able to buy them from a local distributor. The Ministry of Health is currently working through the details of supply.
We recommend that businesses trial different tests before committing to buying one in bulk as there are differences in processes.
If you choose to use rapid antigen testing in your workplace, you need to follow health and safety guidance. General information on rapid antigen testing is available from the Ministry of Health website, which will be updated regularly.
For more information contact covid-19poc@health.govt.nz
Financial support to move to traffic light system
A new transition payment will be made available particularly for affected businesses in Auckland, Waikato and Northland to acknowledge the restrictions they have faced under the higher Alert Levels.
A one-off transition payment will be activated through the Resurgence Support Payment system criteria and be available on December 10. This payment is at a higher base rate than the current Resurgence Support Payment and will be $4,000 per business plus $400 per FTE up to a cap of 50 FTEs – a maximum payment of $24,000. The affected revenue period for the Transition Payment will be set between October 3 and November 9, and must be compared to a typical week in the six weeks prior to August 17
Last week the final wage subsidy and Resurgence Support Payment opened for applications. These will still open, and pay out even though we are moving to the new Framework, in addition to the transition payment.
Support to be off work while isolating or to take leave while waiting for test results, currently provided by the Leave Support Scheme and the Short Term Absence Payment, will also remain available under all levels of the Protection Framework.
At all levels of the new Protection Framework, most businesses will be able to operate at almost full capacity. The Transition payment reflects a progressive shift away from the broad based economic supports provided under the current alert level system.
COVID-19 Financial support for business
Applications for the first three rounds of the Resurgence Support Payment close on 1 December. Applications for subsequent rounds will remain open.
For a summary of the financial support available to help you, your business and employees through the response to COVID-19, visit biz.govt.nz | Financial support for businesses
Vaccination assessment tool
A new vaccination assessment tool to help businesses decide if they can require vaccination for different types of work will soon be available. The tool will provide a clear, legal framework under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 to help businesses make decisions about vaccinations in the workplace.
The simple assessment tool is likely to include an assessment of four risk factors, of which at least three of the higher-risk indicators need to be met before it would be reasonable to require vaccination for particular work.
Use of the assessment tool is optional and will not override any risk assessments that have already been done.
The draft Vaccination assessment tool will be further refined and tested over the next few weeks.
View the draft risk assessment factors at biz.govt.nz | Vaccination assessment tool
Existing guidance to help decide what work can require a vaccinated employee can be read at WorkSafe.govt.nz | How to decide what work requires a vaccinated employee
Vaccine Boosters
If six months has elapsed since your second dose of vaccine, you are eligible for a booster shot now.
This includes healthcare and border workers, and older people who have been fully vaccinated for six months or more.
Boosters are strongly encouraged for those that are most at risk of coming into contact with COVID-19, and older people including those in residential care.
You do not need to have a booster to be considered fully vaccinated for My Vaccine Pass or an International Travel Vaccination Certificate.
NZ Pass Verifier app to scan and verify My Vaccine Passes now available to download
The NZ Verifier app can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play app stores from today. Click here to learn how to use the NZ Pass Verifier, and where to download the App.
Hospitality venues, close-contact businesses, large gatherings, events, air transport and gyms are just some of the types of businesses that will need to verify customer’s vaccination status if they wish to operate in higher risk levels under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
For customers entering a business requiring proof of vaccination status, their My Vaccine Pass will be scanned by the verifier app. The verifier will show a green tick recognising the official QR code that is embedded into the customer’s pass. It will show quickly that the person is fully vaccinated or has the appropriate exemption and can enter their premises. The verifier app does not store a person’s data or see any information other than a person’s name and date of birth.
Scanning the NZ Vaccine Pass QR code with a verifier app is the only way to confirm the authenticity of a My Vaccine Pass. Verifiers should also undertake additional checks to ensure they are confident that the person presenting the pass is the person named on the pass.
Technical guidance for NZ Pass Verifier is available on the Ministry of Health website and people will also be able to call 0800 800 606 for technical assistance. Guidance from MBIE for businesses using the verifier under the COVID Protection Framework will be out later this week.
Further work is being undertaken to accommodate events that expect large volumes of people at a time – such as stadiums, festivals, or large tourism operators.
Essential services such as supermarkets, access to health and disability services and primary and secondary education facilities cannot ask for proof of verification status and will not require a NZ Pass Verifier.
For more information about when My Vaccine Pass will be required, see here.
My Vaccine Pass mandates – vaccination dates announced
Vaccination has been mandated for workers at businesses that must use My Vaccine Passes to operate, or operate with fewer restrictions, at all levels of the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
This mandate applies to hospitality, events, gatherings, close contact businesses and gyms. It also applies to on-site tertiary education at the Red level.
To continue doing work in these areas, workers will need to have their first vaccination before 3 December 2021, when the COVID-19 Protection Framework comes into effect. These workers will need to be fully vaccinated by 17 January 2022 to continue doing that work.
People can book their vaccination online through bookmyvaccine.nz, visit one of the many pop-up vaccination centres or talk to a trusted health practitioner.
We encourage employers and employee to have good faith conversations about this incoming requirement that will see workers at these businesses need to be vaccinated.
Guidance prepared by a clinical psychologist to help managers and employers speak with their people about any vaccination requirement in the workplace is attached: Keeping calm and safe – talking with people about the vaccination order and Keeping calm and safe – de-escalation tips.
Read the latest information on My Vaccine Pass mandates at business.govt.nz
Business Webinar:
Vaccine Pass use in workplaces and business settings, and employment matters under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework
Friday 19 November 2021 - to view the webinar click here[Webinar begins at 1:00 minute]
Password - s$9hLMy$
MoH will review questions and make best efforts to communicate answers in MBIE’s forthcoming sector guidance, at covid19.govt.nz, and through other communications channels.
Please also keep watch at business.govt.nz for the latest business specific information to assist with preparations to operate under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework. The latest business specific information about the use of My Vaccine Pass and the soon to be released, NZ Pass Verifier smartphone app, is available here.
Presentations
Presentations from the three presenters are attached.
My Covid Record and Vaccine Passes - click here
Vaccine Pass use in workplaces and business settings, and employment matters - click here
Covid 19 Vaccination Certificates - click here
Shane Kinley mentioned the process for exemptions from mandatory vaccination. You can read more about who can apply for an exemption and what criteria must be met, here.
Vaccine Pass Use - requirements for businesses
Under the new COVID Protection Framework, requiring customers or patrons to present a vaccine pass will be optional for many locations. There will be some higher-risk settings where vaccine passes will be required, in order to open to the public.
At all levels of the COVID Protection Framework, businesses, retail, and public facilities will generally be able to remain open for vaccinated people. Businesses, events, organisations, community, and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement an entry requirement using the Ministry of Health vaccine pass.
If a business, organisation or service does not wish to require vaccine passes on entry, they will have to operate with strict limits on capacity and space requirements. They may need to close in Orange and/or Red levels of the new COVID Protection Framework.
My Vaccine Pass:
For You:
My Vaccine Pass is an official record of your COVID-19 vaccination status for use in Aotearoa New Zealand. Anyone aged 12 and over who has had two COVID-19 vaccinations administered in New Zealand, or who has been given a medical exemption, can now request a My Vaccine Pass. Your My Vaccine Pass will include your name, date of birth and a QR code. You can save this pass on a digital device, like your phone, or print a physical copy.
Businesses, events, organisations, community, and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement a vaccination entry requirement for customers.
Businesses offering essential services, including supermarkets and pharmacies, will not be allowed to introduce vaccination status certificate requirements.
For Businesses:
Businesses, events, organisations, community, and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement a vaccination entry requirement for customers.
Businesses offering essential services, including supermarkets and pharmacies, will not be allowed to introduce vaccination status certificate requirements.
Businesses do not need to take any action with My Vaccine Pass until the COVID-19 Protection Framework is in place. Decisions on when the country will move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework will be made on 29 November. You may then be required to check customers’ My Vaccine Pass with the NZ Pass Verifier app, depending on your sector or the choices you have made about how you will operate under the new framework. Once final decisions are made, guidance will be published on business.govt.nz about business requirements under the new framework, including verifying passes.
Read more about - My Vaccine Pass
Self Isolation Guidance:
Guidance for Operators when a guest is self isolating at their property after exiting MIQ - click here
Guidance for Post MIQ Isolation - click here
Updates to these guidelines will be posted on : https://www.health.govt.nz/
We have been advised that Ministry of Health won’t be able to create a list of willing self-isolations accommodation providers on their website so you may want to consider putting something on their websites once you have weighed up the pros and cons of promoting that you will / or will not take self-isolation guests as other guests may not be comfortable with this.
Contact information
- Business helpline - Free helpline for businesses, offering advice and access to Government business support, HR and general business advice and access to online resources and webinars. Call 0800 500 362 for North Island, or 0800 50 50 96 for South Island.
- Reporting non-compliance - Report issues and people or businesses not following advice to COVID-19 Compliance Centre
- If you have symptoms - Call Healthline if you have symptoms 0800 358 5453
- Mental Health - Need to talk? For mental health help, call or text 1737
- Immigration - Visit www.immigration.govt.nz/about-
us/covid-19 or call the Immigration Contact Centre 6am – 10pm, Monday – Friday (NZST) from landlines only on 0508 558 855, or Auckland 09 914 4100, Wellington 04 910 9915, or from overseas +64 9 914 4100 - Kiwis returning from overseas - Managed Isolation and Quarantine www.miq.govt.nz or call on on +64 4 888 1670 if you’re overseas (rates will apply) or 0800 476 647 if you’re in New Zealand (calls are free). Hours are 8am – 10pm, Monday – Sunday (NZST).
- All New Zealanders overseas are encouraged to see the advice and register on www.safetravel.govt.nz
- Healthline 0800 358 5453 or +64 9 358 5453
- For information on transport go to www.transport.govt.nz/about/
covid-19 or email essentialtravel@transport.govt.nz