Official guidance about workplace activities at different alert levels

Business

24th Aug 21, 10:07am by admin

This article is re-posed from the MBIE website here.

Rules for business at Alert Level 4

Businesses cannot make an application to provide an Alert Level 4 service – instead it is up to the business to check whether they meet the definition of an Alert Level 4 business or service.

Workplaces can only open if:
- they are an Alert Level 4 business or service, as defined and listed in schedule 2 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order (No 9) 2021 (Order), or they are exempt from the Order.
  See the Alert Level 4 businesses that are listed in the Order (external link) – Legislation New Zealand
- AND they are operating safely, in accordance with the Alert Level 4 requirements, set out in the Order.

Operating safely includes fulfilling all other health and safety obligations.

This means that if an Alert Level 4 service cannot operate safely, workers must not go to work and premises should remain closed.
All freight can be distributed and received with essential freight prioritised.
Additionally, businesses that are able to operate are encouraged to put in place other measures, consistent with Health and Safety obligations, to prevent their activities contributing to the spread of COVID-19. For example, businesses that can operate are encouraged to have employees work from home wherever this is possible to provide the relevant business or service.

Unite against COVID-19 has further information on safely doing business at Alert Level 4.

Doing business at Alert Level 4 (external link) — covid19.govt.nz

Picking up equipment from work

In limited circumstances persons may go to their work premises to carry out necessary activity to enable employees to work remotely, such as picking up laptops or specialised equipment.

If traveling to site, employees should:

only be on site for the minimum amount of time to carry out essential operations
maintain compliance with the 1-metre distancing rule for workers, and the 2-metre distancing rule for all other persons
wear a face covering if possible
record their entry to the location via QR code or an alternative contact tracing system.

Essential non-food consumer products

Reliance will be placed on businesses to determine which products are essential. We expect businesses and consumers to act responsibly.

Any provision of essential non-food consumer products should be by online order with contact-less delivery only.

When determining which non-food consumer products are essential, businesses can refer to the relevant Health Order (external link) and consider which products are necessary during the duration of Alert Level 4 for people to:

remain healthy and safe while isolating
work or study from home
stay in communication with whānau and friends and remain up to date with news and health information.

Categories of non-food consumer products that are essential include:

necessary clothing, footwear and bedding
urgently required white ware and appliances: such as fridges, heaters, washing machines and dryers, vacuum cleaners, fans and dehumidifiers
urgently required cooking, cleaning and laundry equipment
medicinal and hygiene products: such as medication, PPE, first aid products, soaps, shampoos, moisturisers and hand sanitisers
urgently required items for transport maintenance: such as bike and automotive parts and repair kits
materials for urgent home repair
urgently required communication devices: such as mobile phones, computer equipment, modems and internet equipment, televisions and radios
urgently required educational materials and books
urgently required home office equipment.

Categories of non-food consumer products that are not essential include:

exercise, sporting and outdoor recreation equipment: such as weights, indoor training machines, sports rackets and balls, and pool products
entertainment and hobby products: such as gaming consoles, knitting wool, trampolines and swings
beauty products: such as make up.

Guidance for businesses at Alert Levels 2, 3 and 4

If you have a question about Alert Level settings for businesses please call Freephone 0800 424 946.

Rules for business at all alert levels

It's important to keep up basic hygiene measures at all alert levels, including washing your hands and coughing or sneezing into your elbow.

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.
Sneeze and cough into your elbow, wash your hands, and regularly disinfect shared surfaces.
Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen to help contact tracing.
Businesses must help people keep track of their movements by displaying the NZ COVID Tracer app QR code for contact tracing.
If you’re concerned about your wellbeing, or have underlying health conditions, work with your GP to understand how best to stay healthy.
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.

Contact tracing

To stop the spread of COVID-19, it’s important to be able to quickly identify and find the people who have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

While NZ COVID Tracer QR code posters are required, alternative contact tracing registers are encouraged for businesses that operate premises where people come into close contact with each other such as food and drink businesses, or hairdressers.

Find out more about contact tracing and how to get your NZ COVID Tracer code poster.

Contact tracing

Information about COVID-19 and the primary sector (external link) — MPI

Rules for business at Alert Level 2

Reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are encouraged where possible.
Talk with your staff to identify risks and ways to manage them.
Ask everyone — workers, contractors and customers — with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.
Keep workers 1 metre apart and customers in retail businesses 2 metres apart.
Keep groups of customers at least 1 metre apart, or 2 metres for retail businesses.
Businesses are legally required to display a QR code and provide an alternative contact tracing system.
Face coverings are strongly encouraged if you are in close contact with others.
Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

Unite against COVID-19 has further information on safely doing business at Alert Level 2.

Doing business at Alert Level 2 (external link) — covid19.govt.nz

Rules for business at Alert Level 3

If your business requires close physical contact it cannot operate.
We recommend staff work from home if they can.
Businesses need to display a QR code and have an alternative contact tracing system. We recommend you make sure that people either scan in or provide their contact details.
Customers cannot come onto your premises — unless you are a supermarket, dairy, butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, petrol station, pharmacy or permitted health service.
Your business legally must be contactless. Your customers can pay online, over the phone or in a contactless way. Delivery or pick-up legally must also be contactless.
Basic hygiene measures legally must be maintained. Physical distancing, handwashing and regularly cleaning surfaces. Workers legally must stay home if they’re sick.
Staff legally must remain a minimum of 1 metre apart at all times where practical. We recommend other measures, such as PPE including face coverings, be used where appropriate.
You legally must meet all other health and safety obligations.

Ministry of Health has advice for essential healthcare workers, border agencies, courts and tribunal staff, first responders and corrections staff.

COVID-19: Personal protective equipment for workers (external link) — Ministry of Health

Unite against COVID-19 has further information on safely doing business at Alert Level 3.

Doing business at Alert Level 3 (external link) — covid19.govt.nz

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Alert Level 2	Alert Level 3	Alert Level 4
Building and construction work can be done.	Building and construction work can be done. For information specific to the building and construction sector visit Building Performance. COVID-19: Building and construction sector guidance(external link) — Building Performance	Building and construction related to nationally important infrastructure, and immediate health and safety risks, and resourcing consenting necessary for the above purposes.
Call centres can run from premises.	Call centres can run from premises for workers who cannot work from home.	Call centres can only run from premises for Alert Level 4 businesses or services where this is ‘necessary’ to maintain the Alert Level 4 business or service.
A financial advice firm can open its office.	A financial advice firm can open its office for workers who cannot work from home. The firm cannot take in-person appointments with clients.	Financial advisors must work from home.
Food and beverage production and processing firms and their premises can operate.	Food and beverage production and processing firms can operate for staff who cannot work from home.	Food and beverage production and processing firms can operate with staff on premise.
A magazine publisher can open its office.	A magazine publisher can open its office for staff who cannot work from home. Production, contactless delivery and retail distribution of magazines can also take place.	A magazine publisher cannot open its office.
A manufacturing plant can operate.	A manufacturing plant can operate for staff who cannot work from home and export goods (all freight can be distributed at Alert Level 3). Tradespeople are allowed on premises, as long as there is the ability to contact trace.	Manufacturing production firms can operate if they are an Alert Level 4 business or service, or if their work is necessary to maintain other Alert Level 4 businesses or services.
Work can be done on film and TV sets.	Work can be done on film and TV sets, but the full range of screen production work may not be possible due to limitations (e.g. preventing close personal contact between actors and hair and make-up artists).	Film and television sets (other than for news) cannot operate.
Flower growing and distribution can be done.	Flower growing and distribution can be done.	Flower growing and distribution cannot operate.
Science and research institutions can operate.	Science and research institutions can operate from premises for workers who cannot work from home.	Science and research institutions involved in the COVID response, civil defence, biosecurity and public health (and limited other services) can have staff operate on premise.
Supermarkets can open.	Supermarkets can open.	Supermarkets can open.
Pharmacies can open.	Pharmacies can open.	Pharmacies can open.
Uncooked food delivery services can operate	Uncooked food delivery services can operate	Contactless delivery of uncooked food can occur.
Cooked Food delivery services where referred by MSD, DHB or ACC (ie. Meals on wheels) can operate.	Cooked food delivery services where referred by MSD, DHB or ACC (ie. Meals on wheels) can operate.	Cooked food delivery services where referred by MSD, DHB or ACC (ie. Meals on wheels) can operate (contactless delivery is encouraged).
Sale of non-food consumers products is allowed.	Sale of non-food consumers products is allowed.	Essential non-food consumer products can be sold via contactless ordering payment and delivery. Customers must not collect goods from stores.
Dairies can open.	Dairies can open. Prepared food and drink can be bought and sold, but cannot be consumed by customers onsite. In the case of smaller stores this will likely mean limiting access to one customer at time.	Dairies can open. Prepared food and drink can be bought and sold, but cannot be consumed onsite. In the case of smaller stores, Alert Level 4 requirements will likely mean limiting access to one customer at a time.
Farmers’ markets can open.	Farmers’ markets cannot open.	Farmers’ markets cannot open.
Petrol stations can open.	Petrol stations can open. Prepared food and drink can be bought and sold, but cannot be consumed by customers onsite.	Petrol stations can open. Prepared food and drink can be bought and sold, but cannot be consumed onsite.
Banks and non-bank deposit takers can open and allow customers onto their premises.	Banks and non-bank deposit takers can open. Customer interactions should be via remote means wherever possible.	Banks and non-bank deposit takers can open. Customer interactions should be via remote means wherever possible.
Green grocers, butcheries, bakeries and fishmongers can open as per the rules for retail stores.	Green grocers, butcheries, bakeries and fishmongers can open to customers. In the case of smaller stores this will likely mean limiting access to one customer at time.	Green grocers, butcheries, bakeries and fishmongers cannot open to customers but can sell uncooked food products and bakery products via contactless ordering payment and delivery, eg online or by phone.
Hardware and DIY stores can open.	Hardware and DIY stores can operate and sell all of their goods to any customers via contactless delivery or pick-up. Tradespeople will be able to safely pick up supplies.	Hardware and DIY stores cannot open to customers but can open to tradespeople to maintain other Alert Level 4 businesses or services. The 2-meter physical distancing rule must be adhered to, so contactless pickup is advised. They can also sell essential products to any customers via contactless delivery.
Agricultural supply stores and pet stores can open.	Agricultural supply stores and pet stores can offer contactless delivery or drive-through.	Agricultural supply stores and pet stores cannot open but can offer contactless delivery.
Animal and pet care services, such as dog walking and pet grooming, can operate.	Businesses offering animal and pet care services can operate, but cannot have (human) customers on business premises. Contactless delivery or pick-up (between humans) must be used.	Pet care services necessary to maintain existing boarding of animals in pet care, or for long-term care when no other alternatives are available can operate.
Clothing stores can open.	Clothing stores can operate through contactless delivery or pick-up. They cannot have physical storefronts open to the public.	Clothing stores can operate through contactless delivery of 'essential' products only. They cannot have physical storefronts open to the public.
Bars, cafes and restaurants can open, subject to physical distancing and conditions on gatherings (eg seated patrons only, no more than 100 people) being met. Premises that serve alcohol with an on-licence must offer table service only.	Bars, cafes and restaurants can offer contactless delivery or collection of food and non-alcoholic drinks. They can also operate drive-throughs. They cannot have physical storefronts open to the public, and customers cannot dine on-site.	Bars, cafes and restaurants cannot operate.
Nightclubs are unlikely to be able to operate in line with conditions on gatherings.	Nightclubs cannot open.	Nightclubs cannot operate.
Entertainment and tourist facilities (such as cinema, theatres, art galleries, mini golf, arcades, bungee jumping, or bowling alleys) can open, with measures to keep people safe (eg physical distancing and contact tracing registers).	Entertainment and tourist facilities cannot open.	Entertainment and tourist facilities cannot operate.
Licenced supermarkets can sell alcohol. Other alcohol off-licence holders can also sell alcohol. Sellers must meet all requirements of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.	Licensed supermarkets and Licensing Trust stores in the four Licensing Trust areas with a monopoly can sell alcohol. Open liquor store premises must operate with a one-in-one-out rule. Off-licence holders whose license enables them to sell and deliver alcohol remotely can do so through contactless delivery and pick-up. All requirements of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, licence conditions/restrictions and requirements for remote sales apply. Limits on quantity of spirits to be sold are recommended.	Licensed supermarkets and Licensing Trust stores in the four Licensing Trust areas with a monopoly can sell alcohol. Open liquor store premises must operate with a one-in-one-out rule. Off-licence holders whose license enables them to sell and deliver alcohol remotely can do so through contactless delivery. All requirements of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, licence conditions/restrictions and requirements for remote sales apply. Limits on quantity of spirits to be sold are recommended.
Mechanics can operate.	Mechanics can operate provided they do not have customers on premise.	Mechanics can operate for urgent repairs if necessary to maintain Alert Level 4 services.
General retail stores can operate and allow customers onto their premises.	General retail stores can operate. However, they can’t allow customers onto their premises. Customer interactions should be contactless, including for ordering, payment and delivery.	General retail stores can operate online for the purpose of delivering 'essential' consumer products only. They cannot allow customers onto their premises. Customer interactions should be contactless, including for ordering, payment and delivery. Customers must not collect goods from stores.
Shopping centres/malls can open.	Shopping malls may allow customers on premises so that people can: contactlessly collect goods from stores inside the mall. access those businesses which are allowed to have customers on premises	Shopping malls cannot open.
Hairdressers, barbers, nail salons and non-medical massage services can open.	Hairdressers, barbers, nail salons and non-medical massage services cannot open.	Hairdressers, barbers, nail salons and non-medical massage services cannot open.
Exercise facilities and classes (eg gyms, yoga studios and dance school) can open.	Exercise facilities and classes can offer lessons remotely (eg by video), but cannot open their premises.	Exercise facilities and classes can offer lessons remotely (eg by video), but cannot open their premises.
A real estate firm can open its office. Open homes can take place in person, subject to conditions on contact tracing and physical distancing. Property management functions may be carried out in person. COVID-19 information for landlords and tenants on Tenancy Services (external link)	A real estate firm can open its office for staff who cannot work from home. The firm cannot take in-person appointments with clients. Open homes cannot take place in person, but they can happen remotely. One-on-one viewings and pre-settlement inspections may be possible. More guidance is available from the Real Estate Authority (external link) and the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (external link).	A real estate firm cannot open its office. Staff must work from home. Open homes cannot take place.
Couriers and parcel services can operate. Deliveries should be contactless.	Couriers and parcel services can operate. Deliveries should be contactless.	Couriers and parcel services can operate. Deliveries should be contactless.
Removal/moving companies can operate.	Removal/moving companies can operate.	Removal/moving companies cannot operate.
Plumbers, electricians and tradespeople can work on customers’ property (eg in homes).	Plumbers, electricians and tradespeople can work on customers’ property (eg in homes). Tradespeople need to ensure the relevant public health measures are met (including contact tracing and PPE, such as masks).	Plumbers, electricians, locksmiths, pest controllers and tradespeople can carry out work to address immediate risks to health and safety.
Client-facing workers (such as sales and business development people) can meet with clients in person.	Client-facing workers (such as sales and business development people) must meet with clients remotely unless it is an essential service.	Client-facing workers (such as sales and business development people) must meet with clients remotely unless it is an Alert Level 4 service.
Home cleaners can work.	Home cleaners cannot work in clients’ homes.	Home cleaners cannot operate. Commercial cleaning may be able to operate in limited circumstances. All businesses should have strict health and hygiene measures in place.
Locksmiths can operate.	Locksmiths can carry out work on customers’ property (eg in homes). Businesses should have strict health and hygiene measures in place.	Locksmiths can carry out work on customers’ property (eg in homes), however businesses should limit their operations to work that is immediately necessary. Strict health and hygiene measures and record keeping systems and processes need to be in place.
Pest controllers can operate.	Pest controllers can carry out work on customers’ property (eg in homes). Businesses should have strict health and hygiene measures in place.	Pest controllers can carry out work on customers’ property (eg in homes) however operations should be limited to work that is immediately necessary. Strict health and hygiene measures and record keeping systems and processes need to be in place.
Door-to-door sales should only operate if they are able to meet contact tracing requirements for businesses.	Door-to-door sales are not allowed.	Door-to-door sales are not allowed.
Outdoor adventure activities (eg guided walks, kayaking tours, quad bike adventures or scenic flights or boat trips) can operate.	Outdoor adventure activities (eg guided walks, kayaking tours, quad bike adventures or scenic flights or boat trips) should not operate.	Outdoor adventure activities can not operate.
Driver instruction and licencing can happen.	Driver instruction and licencing cannot happen, other than aspects of applications that may be done remotely.	Driver instruction and licencing cannot happen, other than aspects of applications that may be done remotely.
Telecommunications work can be done. Retail stores can be open.	Telecommunications network repairs, maintenance and upgrades can be done. Stores can operate and sell all of their goods to any customer via contactless delivery or pick-up.	Telecommunications network operators can do essential maintenance and repair works, and upgrade capacity in their networks. Stores can sell essential products to customers via contactless delivery.
Union services can operate.	Union services can operate as long as it is necessary to enable the union to provide a service and the provision of the service cannot be reasonably delayed.	Union services can operate as long as it is necessary to enable the union to provide a service and the provision of the service cannot be reasonably delayed.
Nurseries can operate and turf maintenance (eg golf courses, sports grounds) can happen.	Nurseries can operate and turf maintenance (eg golf courses, sports grounds) can happen.	Nurseries can operate and turf maintenance (eg golf courses, sports grounds) can happen for minimum operations necessary to maintain condition or value.