COVID-19 advice for organisations
Created: March 9, 2020 at 3:37 PM | Updated: June 16, 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. Check the Unite for the recovery website to get the latest updates.
New Zealand has moved to Alert Level 1 - read more here.
Ministry of Health
Visit the Ministry of Health website here to get current situation COVID-19 information.
You can get posters for your workplace on the Ministry of Health site here.
One of these posters - Protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 - is particularly useful for displaying in your workplace.
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.
Wage Subsidy Extension
A wage subsidy extension payment is available to support employers who are still significantly impacted by COVID-19. Applications for the wage subsidy extension are now open. Use this tool to find out if your organisation is eligible and how to apply. Read more on the Work and Income site 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.
Responding to COVID-19 Webinar
Charities Services held a webinar on responding to COVID-19 on 12 May. You can view a video of the webinar here.
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).
Updates for Community NGOs
Platform Trust has provided a COVID-19 resource for all NGOs here that includes regular briefing newsletters.
This communications channel centralised COVID-19 related information relevant for all NGOs, not just mental health and addiction providers.
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.
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?
Funding information
Community Matters explain their commitment to our communities here including the impact on current and future funding rounds and how to contact them.
Philanthropy New Zealand has collated information of relevance to funders and recipients of funding here.
Strategic Grants provide a specific COVID-19 funder news alerts page, updated daily with significant announcements here. Many funds and funders are using this alerts page to ensure correct details are provided to the sector.
Individual funders also address the current situation, for example Nikau, Wellington Community Trust, and Rata Foundation.
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
New guidance has been released about workplace activities at different alert levels. Information addresses some frequently asked questions as well as examples of what each alert level might look like for different kinds of businesses.
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.
You'll also find information on the Government's Economic Response Package to help cushion the impact of COVID-19 and support the economy during the crisis.
The package includes:
- Wage subsidy scheme
- Leave and self-isolation support
- Business cash flow and tax measures etc
The Wage Subsidy Scheme DOES cover registered charities, non-governmental organisations, incorporated societies and post-settlement governance entities.
You can find out if your organisation is eligible for the wage subsidy by using the wage subsidy eligibility tool.
Coronavirus Tech Handbook
The Coronavirus Tech Handbook is a UK initiated crowd-sourced library for technologists, civic organisations, public and private institutions, researchers, and specialists of all kinds working on responses to the pandemic. It is a rapidly evolving resource with thousands of expert contributors and links to resources and information like:
- tools for charities and civil society
- tools for volunteers and group organisers
- tools for vulnerable people
- tools for policymakers and representatives and many more...
World Health Organisation
World Health Organisation also provides general advice about COVID-19.
The WHO resources include a document titled Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19. This document gives detailed advice on:
- Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace
- How to manage COVID-19 risks when organizing meetings & events
- Things to consider when you and your employees travel
- Getting your workplace ready in case COVID-19 arrives in your community
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC - Centres for Disease Control and Prevention - have other useful resources to help businesses and employers to plan, prepare and respond to COVID-19. These include information on:
- recommended strategies for employers to use now and
- planning for an outbreak
There are more specific CDC resources in Preventing COVID-19 spread in communities