COVID-19 advice for organisations

Created: March 9, 2020 at 3:37 PM | Updated: September 20, 2022 | By NZ Navigator Trust

News update:

  • The Traffic Light Framework was removed at 11:59pm on 12 September 2022.

  • All associated restrictions/mandates have also been removed, with the exception of two:

    • Mask wearing is now required only in healthcare settings (hospitals, GPs, pharmacies, urgent care clinics and rest homes).
    • The isolation period for people who test positive to COVID-19 is now 7 days from the onset of symptoms. There is no longer a requirement for household contacts to isolate but it is strongly encouraged that these people do a RAT test daily. 

Quick links to information in this resource: 

Information websites  |  Vaccinations  |  Financial support   |  Legal issues  |  Mental Health and COVID-19 

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:

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).

  • Read more about requesting proof of vaccination here.
  • Read about the vaccine pass verifier here.

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 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.

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.

https://covid19.govt.nz (opens in a new window)