Current Alert Level
21 Sep 2020
Auckland has moved to Alert Level 2
Auckland is at Alert Level 2 — there are no extra restrictions on gatherings. The rest of New Zealand is at Alert Level 1.
Your Alert Level will depend on where you are in New Zealand.
Auckland region is at Alert Level 2 with extra restrictions
The Auckland region is now currently at Alert Level 2.
At 11:59pm on Sunday 30 August the Auckland region moved to Alert Level 2. There are extra restrictions on social gatherings, funerals and tangihanga.
Auckland restrictions on gathering, funerals and tangihanga
This will remain in place until at least Sunday 6 September 2020.
Rest of New Zealand
The rest of New Zealand is at Alert Level 2.
This will remain in place until at least Sunday 6 September 2020.
Auckland
Auckland region moved to Alert Level 3 at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August.
This will last for at least 3 days.
Alert Level 3
Alert Level 3 information on personal movement, exercise, education, work, business, travel and gatherings.
If you're unwell
If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to work or school. Don’t socialise.
If you have symptoms of cold or flu call your doctor or Healthline and get advice about being tested.
If you have been told to self-isolate you must do so immediately.
Testing locations in Auckland — get a free test for COVID-19 if you have cold or flu symptoms
Personal movement
Under Alert Level 3 you should continue to stay in your household bubbles whenever you are not at work or school.
You must stay within your household bubble but can expand this to connect with close family and whānau, or bring in caregivers, or support isolated people.
It’s important to protect your bubble. Keep your bubble exclusive and only include people where it will keep you and them safe and well. If anyone within your bubble feels unwell, they must immediately self-isolate from everyone else within your bubble.
Don’t invite or allow social visitors, such as friends, family and whānau, to enter your home.
Physical distance
Maintain physical distancing of 2 metres outside your home, when buying the groceries or exercising. Using a face covering when in contact with others you don’t know is highly recommended.
Face coverings
It is highly recommended that you wear a face covering if you are out and about.
Workplaces
Under Alert Level 3, you are required to work from home if you can.
Workplaces can only open if:
workers cannot work from home, and
workplaces are operating safely, and
customers are not allowed on the premises, and
businesses can trade without physical contact with customers, for example through phone or online orders, delivery, pick-up and drive-through.
Businesses cannot offer services that involve close personal contact, unless it is an essential service, emergency or critical situation.
Supermarkets, dairies and petrol stations can have customers on their premises.
Retail is possible through delivery and non-contact collection at the door, including of prepared food. Customers cannot consume food or drink on premises.
If businesses cannot operate safely, employees must not go to work and premises should remain closed.
“Operating safely” means:
complying with Alert Level 3 settings on this page, and
meeting appropriate public health requirements for their workplace, including for workers, for example putting up barriers, and
fulfilling all other health and safety obligations.
Public venues
Public venues must close. This includes libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds and markets.
Travel and transport
Travel is restricted to permitted movement in your local area, for example going to work or school, shopping, or getting exercise.
You should not travel to another region for recreation or work unless you're an essential worker travelling for work.
You should not take a flight to another region unless you're an essential worker, travelling to do essential work.
Public transport can continue to operate with strict health and safety requirements. You should maintain physical distancing and you should wear a face covering.
Education
Where possible we encourage students to learn from home. Schools can safely open but will have limited capacity.
Gatherings
Gatherings of up to 10 people can continue, but only for:
wedding services
funerals and tangihanga.
Physical distancing and public health measures must be maintained.
Exercise and recreation
You can do low-risk recreation activities in your local area, for example to go for a walk or a run, a swim at the beach, a day walk or fishing from a wharf.
You can hunt on private land, but not on public conservation land. You need to stay within your region and stick to your bubble. Overnight trips are not allowed. You may only hunt on foot — using quad bikes, off-road bikes, helicopters and other motorised vehicles is not allowed.
Boating, yachting and any team sports or training are not allowed.
You can do recreational activities by yourself or with people from your bubble.
At-risk people
People at high risk of severe illness such as older people and those with existing medical conditions are encouraged to stay at home where possible, and take additional precautions when leaving home.
Rest of New Zealand
The rest of New Zealand moved to Alert Level 2 at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August.
We are at Alert Level 1
New Zealand moved to Alert Level 1 at 11:59pm on Monday 8 June.
Life at Alert Level 1
At Alert Level 1, everyone can return without restriction to work, school, sports and domestic travel, and you can get together with as many people as you want.
Border restrictions
Controls at the borders remain for those entering New Zealand, including health screening and testing for all arrivals, and mandatory 14 day managed quarantine or isolation.
Information on international travel
Stay healthy
As we unite to recover from the effects of COVID-19, it's still important that we keep the basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands and coughing or sneezing into your elbow.
Keep track of where you've been
We should all continue to keep track of where we’ve been and who we’ve seen to assist with rapid contact tracing if it is required.
How to keep track of where you’ve been
Businesses should help customers to keep track of where they’ve been by displaying the NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster.
Get the NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster
Financial support
If you are experiencing financial distress see our financial support page for useful information
The Golden Rules for everyone at Alert Level 1
If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to work or school. Don’t socialise.
If you have cold or flu symptoms call your doctor or Healthline and make sure you get tested.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
Sneeze and cough into your elbow, and regularly disinfect shared surfaces.
If you are told by health authorities to self-isolate you must do so immediately.
If you’re concerned about your wellbeing or have underlying health conditions, work with your GP to understand how best to stay healthy.
Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen to help contact tracing if needed. Use the NZ COVID Tracer app as a handy way of doing this.
Businesses should help people keep track of their movements by displaying the Ministry of Health QR Code for contact tracing.
Stay vigilant. There is still a global pandemic going on. People and businesses should be prepared to act fast to step up Alert Levels if we have to.
People will have had different experiences over the last couple of months. Whatever you’re feeling — it’s okay. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself.
NZ Covid-19 Health Update 15/04/2020
The latest health advice for the general public on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). Ref Ministry of Health https://www.health.govt.nz
Message to our staff
Speaking to the Men and Women of Platform 4 Group, we want to thank all of you who are tirelessly working to ensure all our existing clients needs are met as well as the additional services being provided to those Companies who have reached out to us, during this Covid19 pandemic response.
Current situation
New Zealand has 1,386 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19. More information is available on the Ministry of Health current cases page. With continued vigilance the chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low.
New Zealand is currently at Alert Level 4 – Eliminate
These alert levels specify the public health and social measures to be taken. Nationwide, New Zealand is currently at Level 4 – Eliminate. This means that it is likely that the disease is not contained. See more information about Alert levels.
Find out how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during Alert Level 4.
Contact tracing phone calls
If you have been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, you can expect to be contacted by the Ministry of Health and Healthline.
It is important to answer your phone, so the Ministry and Healthline can get in touch with you during this time. You can find out more about the process and how to recognise a call from the Ministry or Healthline on the Contact tracing page.
Advice for Essential workers
Essential workers must stay within their household bubble when they are not at work.
Essential workers must maintain a high level of hygiene to keep others in their household safe, including washing their hands, clothes and surfaces regularly, especially after returning from work.
Their workplace will also be required to put appropriate safety measures in place to ensure these people are safe at work. Most essential workers will not require Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Keeping yourself and others safe while undertaking essential work
Essential workers who are unwell, at risk, self-isolating or have a sick person in their household
As always, anyone who is unwell should not be at work. You must stay at home if:
you’re sick with COVID-19, COVID-19 symptoms, or are unwell generally
you need to self-isolate, as per Ministry of Health guidelines, due to recent travel or close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19
you are caring for dependents who need to self-isolate, as per Ministry of Health guidelines.
You may also wish to stay at home if:
you, or someone you live with, meets the definition of an at-risk person, including those who are 70+, pregnant, taking certain medication, or receiving certain treatment. These people are advised to stay home at Alert Level 2 or higher
you do not believe your workplace has adequate health and safety measures to minimise your risk of contracting COVID-19.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
What's important for you to know about PPE for essential workers.
Keeping safe at work and at home
As an essential worker, you are playing a vital and important role to keep New Zealand running during Alert Level 4. To protect yourself and those you live with you should follow basic hygiene measures at home and at work. This is the best defence against COVID-19.
Basic hygiene measures include remembering to:
· cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues
· put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately
· wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds)
· avoid close contact with people who are unwell
· don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
· clean surfaces regularly such as touch screens, petrol pumps, EFTPOS machines, conveyer belts and self-checkouts.
Using personal protective equipment
You should also follow guidelines for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). What PPE to use and how to use it will depend on the essential service you provide.
A list and guidance about essential services is available on covid19.govt.nz.
For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS.
For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS.
NZ Covid-19 Health Update 18/03/2020
The latest health advice for the general public on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). Ref Ministry of Health https://www.health.govt.nz
Platform 4 Group is continuing to monitor developments with the Covid-19 virus to ensure that we keep you, our clients and visitors as safe as possible.
The New Zealand Government has imposed new travel restrictions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Travel Restrictions/Quarantine
From Sunday 15th March 2020, every person entering New Zealand from anywhere in the world apart for the Pacific will be required to self-isolate for 14 days and register with Healthline. If you have returned from overseas, you must notify your manager, not attend any of our client’s sites and isolate yourselves for 14 days upon your arrival in New Zealand.
If you have come into known contact with a proven or suspected case of Covid-19 then we also require you to notify your manager and self-isolate for 14 days.
Ministry of Health Notice - General Information
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a type of coronavirus. There are simple steps you can take to protect you and your family/whānau.
Symptoms
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
a cough
a high temperature (at least 38°C)
shortness of breath.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.
We don’t yet know how long symptoms take to show after a person has been infected, but current World Health Organization assessments suggest that it is 2–10 days.
If you have these symptoms and have recently been to a country or area of concern, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19, please telephone Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor immediately.
How it spreads
COVID-19, like the flu, can be spread from person to person. When a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or talks, they may spread droplets containing the virus a short distance, which quickly settle on surrounding surfaces.
You may get infected by the virus if you touch those surfaces or objects and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
That’s why it’s really important to use good hygiene, regularly wash and thoroughly dry your hands, and use good cough etiquette.
Prevention – how to protect yourself and others
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues.
Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food with sick people.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you have any symptoms and have been to any countries or territories of concern or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19.
What to do if you may have been exposed
People returning from any country except those listed in Category 2, or who may have been exposed to COVID-19, are self-isolating to keep their communities safe.
If you returned from any country in the last 14 days, then you should self-isolate for 14 days from the date of arrival.
If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 you should self-isolate for 14 days from the date of close contact.
We know from other outbreaks that self-isolation is effective, and most people are good at keeping themselves – and others – safe and well. To find out more, see our Self-isolation resource.
More information for contacts of cases in New Zealand is available at Contact tracing for COVID-19.
Dedicated Healthline 0800 number for COVID-19 health advice and information
The number is 0800 358 5453 (or for international SIMs +64 9 358 5453).
It is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
People calling that line will be able to talk with a member of the National Telehealth Service. They have access to interpreters.
You should call that dedicated number:
to register if you have self-isolated yourself
for any coronavirus health advice and information and any questions you have about coronavirus, self-isolation etc.
Healthline’s main number is still the one to call for non-coronavirus health concerns – 0800 611 116.
Whichever number you call, you will get professional health advice and information.
