COVID-19 advice for organisations
Created: March 9, 2020 at 3:37 PM | Updated: September 22, 2020 | By NZ Navigator Trust
Government COVID-19 website
The New Zealand Government COVID-19 website gathers everything you need to know into one place, including the latest updates.
The Auckland region will be moving to Alert Level 2 at 11:59pm on Wednesday 28th September (with extra restrictions on social gatherings, funerals and tangihanga). More information about the Auckland restrictions can be found here.
The rest of New Zealand is now at Alert Level 1.
At Alert Level 1 it isn't compulsory to wear face coverings, however, continuing to wear face coverings will help keep you and others safe. Read more about alert levels here.
Auckland's Level 2 Alert means that it is still compulsory for Aucklanders (and anyone travelling to or through Auckland) to wear face coverings on public transport.
Aucklanders must also wear face coverings in public transport if they are travelling to other parts of New Zealand. There are more details about face coverings here.
The government COVID-19 website has lots of resources for organisations and individuals:
Ministry of Health
Visit the Ministry of Health website here to get current health advice about COVID-19.
Visit the MOH website for information about:
- Current case statistics
- Contract tracing information
- Where to get a COVID-19 test
- Health advice targeted at various groups:
- the public
- health professionals
- and groups like gatherings etc
- Accessible information:
- Information resources in large print and audio formats
- Information resources in NZ sign language
- and Easy Read information.
- Information for specific audiences:
- Advice for higher risk people
- Advice for disabled people
- General cleaning and disinfection advice etc
NZ COVID Tracer app
The NZ COVID Tracer app is the official government contact tracing app. The app makes it easier to identify people who have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
More information about the app, including how personal information is used, is available here on the Ministry of Health website.
COVID-19 QR code poster
If you are a public facing organisation that has visitors or staff coming on site, you can generate a QR code poster for your premises - read more here. Organisations are encouraged to display their QR code poster in all levels, including Level 1.
All businesses are now required to display government generated QR code posters at all premises.
Resurgence Wage Subsidy
The Resurgence Wage Subsidy was available to support employers who were still significantly impacted by COVID-19 between 21 August to 3 September 2020. It is no longer available.
You can still apply for the Leave Support Scheme if you have staff who can’t work because of COVID-19. There will be changes to this scheme from late September - read about the changes here.
Read more on the Work and Income site here.
Community Capability and Resilience Fund
The MSD-managed Community Capability and Resilence (CCRF) fund is available to community groups for initiatives that support the rebuild and recovery from COVID-19.
The $36 million fund is available for initiatives that support the rebuild and recovery from COVID-19. The fund is available from 1 August 2020 to support communities over the next two years. Read more here.
Community Wellbeing Fund
A new lottery fund providing one-off grants was announced on 18 August. The Lottery COVID-19 Community Wellbeing Fund (worth $40 million) is aimed at groups that have lost access to funding sources, have extra demand on their services or now need to work in different ways in responding to COVID-19. The fund is expected to be up and running in the final quarter of 2020. Read more here.
PPE guidance for NGO community workers
Te Pou have a resource on the use of personal protection equipment by people in NGO organisations who support people in their homes. Download the resource here.
Working in essential jobs with physical or close contact
Recommendations for organisations with people doing essential jobs that may require physical or close contact - see guidance on wearing protective equipment.
Providing support by phone or video
This Te Pou resource is aimed at workers in NGO organisations who are moving to phone or video support with someone they are working with. Download the resource here for guidance on preparation and good practice advice.
Coronavirus and the Law
Community Law has answered the most frequently asked questions relating to the NZ Government's COVID-19 law changes. Read more here.
COVID-19 Legal Handbook
Parry Field lawyers have released a free handbook on key legal issues that New Zealanders are facing as a result of COVID-19. Topics include financial assistance and paying staff; business and governance; signing documents; contractual issues and obligations; and charities. Download the handbook here.
COVID-19-Safe Workplaces
Our Community Matters is an Australian social enterprise that provides information for organisations working to build stronger communities. They have published a free guide called Damn Good Advice on Creating a COVID-19-Safe Workplace. (Download a copy by using the arrow at the top left.)
Topics covered in the guide include: planning, preparing, modifying the workplace, modifying meetings and events, dealing with the public, transport, cleaning your premises, incident procedures, and mental health. Templates for policies and communications are included.
Looking After Mental Health and Wellbeing around COVID-19
The Mental Health Foundation have tips and information on their website to help individuals and organisations look after our wellbeing, and the wellbeing of our whānau and community.
Blueprint for Learning has created a framework, based on the Te Whare Tapa Whā model, for working well from home. This framework looks at the four dimensions of wellbeing.
All Right? has become a powerful champion for wellbeing in Canterbury following the earthquakes and have launched a new mental health kit to help New Zealanders get on top of COVID-19 - Getting through together. The toolkit includes Wellbeing on the frontline - wellbeing tips for both managers and staff working through the pandemic) and Sparklers (a wellbeing toolkit with activities for children).
Governance in a crisis
JBWere has published a guide that has seven areas of focus for board leadership to consider during times of crisis.
Charities Services have produced a one page summary of the JBWere report here [PDF, 77 KB].
IRD responding to COVID-19
Inland Revenue is focused on ensuring people get their entitlements, including COVID-19 relief - find out more here.
Information for registered charities
Charities Services have updated their information on COVID-19 for registered charities. You'll find answers to a wide range of questions that charities may be dealing with including:
- does the government's economic support package extend to registered charities?
- what if you need to cancel or postpone your AGM?
- what can you do to support staff and volunteers during this time?
- what can charities do to help?
More funding news
Community Matters explain their commitment to our communities here including the impact on current and future funding rounds and how to contact them.
Individual funders also address the current situation, for example Nikau, Wellington Community Trust, and Rata Foundation.
FINZ (Fundraising Institute of NZ) are sharing COVID-19 news from a fundraising perspective here.
Register of essential services
Oranga Tamariki and MSD have developed a list of providers delivering essential services in line with COVID-19 restrictions, to the extent possible and without compromising the safety and wellbeing of everyone they work with.
The requirement is for providers to:
- use the minimum viable workforce, while
- having maximum hygiene protocols in place.
The list, and information on how to apply to be included on the register, can be found here.
MBIE COVID-19 Information for Businesses
Guidance about workplace activities at different alert levels is available on the MBIE website. This guidance addresses some frequently asked questions as well as examples of what each alert level might look like for different kinds of businesses. Read more here.
To help you stay up to date with developments, MBIE has collated some great resources for businesses here. This includes everything from health and travel guidance, to how to create a business continuity plan.