Alert Level 2 Guidelines

She notes Level 2 is about “Playing it safe” and reducing contact.

The Prime Minister also says that a staggered approach into Level 2 may be an option and this will be a consideration when they come to make a decision on if – and when – we move into this Alert Level on Monday, May 11.

Please see the Alert Level 2 Guidelines below. These are the top level points from the conference today, with the Government to advise further details in the coming days.

ALERT LEVEL 2 GUIDELINES:

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Public health measures remain unchanged:
  • If you are sick, stay home.
  • If you have symptoms, get a test.
  • Wash your hands, often and properly.
  • Clean all high-touch surfaces regularly – and don’t give other people your phone.
• Borders will remain closed except to Kiwis. Kiwis coming in from overseas will be isolated.
• Distance to others: 2m from strangers, but in workplaces or with people you know, it can be less. More advice on this to come, particularly around work spaces.

WORKPLACES

• • Businesses can open for customers & staff, and business can occur on premise.
  • People can return to offices, but the Prime Minister encourages businesses not to lose what we have learnt during lockdown (i.e. WFH flexibility).
• Domestic cleaners, hairdressers, retail, café, restaurant, hospo: Can reopen / return to work. However, there needs to be physical distancing for staff and customers, good hygiene etc.
  • Malls & larger retailers must have limited number of people in store to ensure physical distancing.
  • Hairdressers & cleaners need appropriate PPE to reduce risk.
  • Hospitality businesses: Only those businesses that can apply ‘The Three S’ can operate:
    • SEATED: People must be seated (and no more than 100 inside) to help reduce the spread.
    • SEPARATED: Social distancing between tables.
    • SINGLE SERVER: Table service, no one can go up to the counter.
      People must not congregate. Any breaking of the rules will result in places being shut down and not able to operate.

With regards to contact tracing, the Government is currently working on a nationwide tech fix which is likely to include QR codes. In the meantime, businesses need basic digital methods to record who comes in.

GATHERINGS

• Indoor to max. of 100. Outdoor also limited to 100 – big events lead to risk.
  Marriages, funerals, church services can be held but with the people limit.
• Public venues can open; social distance and good hygiene apply.
• Bubbles: No longer need to stick to your bubble. Have friends and family over, but keep numbers small. No large parties or functions.

TRAVEL

• People can move around country, but do it safely – keep distance at airports, on public transport or in public areas. Need to support tourism industry safely.

SPORT & REC

• • Playgrounds, gyms, pools can open subject to meeting public health measures.
  • Community sports to be staggered, so give your club a chance to get up and running.
  • Professional sport can operate domestically.

EDUCATION

• • Schools, early learning and tertiary education to resume.
  • Additional measures are in place to ensure safety and distance learning is still possible.
  • If a facility has a case, they must close for 72 hours to allow contact tracing, and then a further 14 days if required.
  • Keep kids home if they are even slightly sick.
  • Schools won’t open mid week when a decision is made on moving to Alert Level 2 – they will open on the next Monday.

Full details and more information on Alert Level 2 can be found on the COVID-19 website HERE. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.