COVID-19 advice for organisations
Created: March 9, 2020 at 3:37 PM | Updated: August 17, 2022 | By NZ Navigator Trust
Traffic Light Framework:
- All of New Zealand is in the Orange setting of our traffic light system.
- Get information about life under Orange here, and specifically on the use of facemasks here.
-
There is no longer a requirement to use My Vaccine Pass. Businesses can still use the system if they would like to.
-
Some government vaccine mandates for workers have been removed. Workers that are still covered by a government vaccine mandate include: health and disability sector workers, prison staff, border and MIQ workers. Businesses are able to voluntarily introduce workforce vaccination requirements if appropriate to the workforce.
Latest news:
Free access to RAT test kits
The government has expanded access to free rapid antigen test (RAT) kits. It's a good opportunity to encouorage your staff to request and collect a supply of test kits. Request free RATs kits here.
Texts are acceptable to confirm sick leave
If any of your workers test positive for COVID-19 they will receive a text confirmation from the MOH. Rather than asking for a 'medical certificate', these texts are a valid proof of sick leave and accepting them will help reduce the workload of GP practices at a busy time of the year.
Reinfection advice has changed
The Ministry of Health has changed their advice about reinfection and the timeframes around previous infections and the development of new symptoms - read more here.
Managing workers who are COVID-19 cases, contacts or have symptoms
- There are different isolation and quarantine requirements for cases and contacts at each phase of the Omicron response. Read about these requirements here.
- Further information is available for:
- the 'Bubble of one' (for workers who are close contacts); and
- the Close Contact Exemption Scheme (for workers at registered critical services who are vaccinated). Organisations can self-assess if they meet the criteria for being critical here (you'll need a RealMe login).
Resource Toolkit
- Running an event? Looking for information posters? Find all the resources you need for your organisation at the COVID-19 Resource Toolkit hub here.
Quick links to information in this resource:
Information websites | Vaccinations | Financial support | Tracer app and QR codes | Personal protective equipment | Legal issues | Mental Health and COVID-19 | Governance and operational issues
Information websites:
Unite against COVID-19 website
The New Zealand Government COVID-19 website gathers everything you need to know into one place, including the latest updates.
The government COVID-19 website has lots of resources for organisations and individuals:
- Find the latest financial support information here.
- Information about wearing face coverings here.
- Record keeping and contact tracing for organisations here.
- You can find useful posters for your workplace or community here.
- Find out about misinformation and scams here.
- Access material to share on social media here.
- and get the latest updates here.
Ministry of Health
Check 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
Vaccinations:
COVID-19 vaccine information
Get the latest information on New Zealand's COVID-19 vaccine programme here.
The COVID-19 vaccines are free of charge and, although they are not mandatory for the New Zealand public, they are highly recommended.
Vaccinations and your staff
COVID-19 has created many challenges and your organisation needs to be clear about its role as an employer around COVID-19 vaccinations.
Get informed by reading the advice from business.govt.nz here. Worksafe New Zealand also offers guidance about risk assessments (to help with decisions about the type of work that requires a vaccinated worker).
Employment New Zealand has advice and general employment information about vaccines here.
Vaccination policy and guidance
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) COVID vaccination policy is a great resource for organisations that are planning and developing policies around vaccinations for their workers and customers. Download the pdf here.
Vaccination certificates
After creating a My Health Account, New Zealander's can access their COVID-19 vaccination records through the My Covid Record website and request their My Vaccine Pass digital vaccination certificates (which use QR codes).
Since early April there is no longer a requirement to use My Vaccine Pass, however, businesses can still use the system if they would like to.
More general resources about vaccines can be found here.
Financial support:
COVID-19 financial support tool
Use the COVID-19 financial support tool here to find out what financial support your organisation can access.
Short-term Absence Payment
A COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is available for organisations to cover eligible workers who:
- cannot work from home and
- need to stay at home for a few days while awaiting a COVID-19 test result.
There's a one-off payment of $359 for each eligible worker.
Parents or caregivers who need to miss work to support their dependents who are staying at home awaiting a test result will also be eligible. Read more about this payment here.
Leave Support Scheme
You can apply for the Leave Support Scheme if you have staff who can’t work because of COVID-19. This scheme is a one-weekly payment for staff who:
- can't come into work because they have been told to self-isolate and
- can't work from home.
Read about who is eligible, how to apply and more here.
Previous support schemes:
The following finanical support schemes are now closed.
Support payment
Applications for the COVID Support Payment for organisations struggling with revenue during the Omicron outbreak closed on 5 May 2022 - find more information here.
Resurgence Support Payment
These payments were designed to help employers keep paying staff and protecting jobs - get more information here.
Wage subsidy scheme
The COVID-19 Wage Subsidy scheme was managed by Work and Income - get more information here.
Tracer app and QR codes:
NZ COVID Tracer app
The NZ COVID Tracer app is the official government contact tracing app. Since 26 March 2022 there is no longer a requirement to scan in.
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
From the 26 March 2022, businesses are no longer required to display government generated QR code posters.
Vaccine Pass Verifier
NZ Pass Verifier is a free Ministry of Health app for organisations to scan and verify their customers' or visitors' My Vaccine Pass. Read more here.
Since 5 April 2022 there is no longer a requirement to use My Vaccine Pass. Businesses can still use the system if they would like to.
Personal protection equipment:
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.
Legal issues:
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.
Mental Health and COVID-19:
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).
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.
Governance and operational information:
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].