Source: New Zealand Labour Party
Stamping out COVID-19 isn’t easy, but together, we are stronger than the virus. We’ve done it before, and if we all continue to play our part, we can do it again.
Here’s where you can find the essential information you need to stay safe at Alert Level 4:
Golden rules at Alert Level 4
At Alert Level 4, you should stay at home unless you are:
- Getting vaccinated
- Visiting the supermarket or pharmacy
- Getting urgent medical care
- Exercising in your neighbourhood
- Getting a COVID test
- Going to work if you are an Alert Level 4 worker and you cannot work from home
At Alert Level 4, you should work from home, unless you are an essential worker who is unable to work from home.
The simplest thing New Zealanders can do to stop the spread of this virus is to stay at home:
- Stick to your bubble – once you are in your bubble you must stay in it and others can’t join.
- Only shop when you need to and, to reduce any risk of spread, only one person per household should go shopping.
- Act like you have COVID-19. Stay clear of others and wear a face covering when visiting the supermarket or pharmacy.
Comprehensive information about what Alert Level 4 means for you and your family can be found at covid19.govt.nz.
Mask requirements
Wearing a mask is one of the most important ways we can stop the spread of COVID-19. At Alert Level 4, everyone over 12 must wear a mask or face covering when working at or visiting an essential service, or while taking public transport.
More information on mask regulations and social distancing can be found here.
Close contacts and locations of interest
There are many locations of interest in Auckland, Coromandel, and Wellington, with more added on a rolling basis. You can find a full list of locations of interest here.
If you have been at a location of interest during the relevant time period, please self-isolate and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice.
How to get tested
You can find your nearest testing centre here. Remember that you can also contact your GP to arrange a free test, but make sure to call first.
More information on COVID testing is available here.
Support for business and workers
We’ve always said a strong health response was the best economic response, and our decision to go hard and early against COVID means our economy is now in a stronger position than many other countries’. We will continue with this approach to support Kiwi businesses and protect jobs.
The Government has activated a number of support measures to provide certainty to businesses and workers, helping to protect jobs and keep firms operating through the current outbreak.
The measures include:
- Wage Subsidy Scheme, for businesses that expect to lose 40 percent of revenue as a result of the alert level change. Employers can now apply for the subsidy here.
- Resurgence Support Payment, for businesses that expect to lose 30 percent of revenue as a result of the alert level change. Applications open Tuesday 24 August, and more information is available here.
- Leave Support Scheme, which provides a two-week lump sum payment for workers who must self-isolate and cannot work from home. More information is available here.
- Short-Term Absence Payment, which provides a one-off payment for workers who must miss work due to a COVID-19 test and cannot work from home. More information is available here.
You can also use this tool to find out what financial support is available to you.
Our vaccination rollout
After a brief pause to put in place Alert Level 4 protocols, our vaccination rollout has resumed. Vaccination sites are reopening, and the vaccination programme is expected to ramp back up to normal levels.
More than 2.6 million doses of the vaccine have now been administered, and more than 950,000 people are fully vaccinated. This week saw record vaccination bookings, with nearly 200,000 bookings made on Wednesday alone.
Bookings remain open, and anyone over 40, in a priority group, or who is an essential worker is now eligible to book a vaccination. Go to the Book My Vaccine online portal or call 0800 28 29 26.
Following Medsafe’s approval, Cabinet has agreed to roll out the Pfizer vaccine to 12- to 15-year-olds. This age group will be able to book their vaccination from 1 September, along with the rest of the general population.
However, we want to be practical about this, so parents and caregivers who are eligible for their vaccines will also be able to book their 12- to 15-year-olds at the same time.
For more information about vaccinations, visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website, or the Ministry of Health website.
Mental health support
Lockdown can be hard on mental health. If you or someone you know is having a tough time, you can call or text 1737 at any time for free to speak with a trained counsellor. There are also plenty of resources online at covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing. .
For more information about COVID-19 and Alert Level 4, please visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
