Businesses can open to the public if they are following public health guidance, which include physical distancing and record keeping.
Do everything you can to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work — we all have a part to play in keeping each other safe.
Ask everyone, workers, contractors and customers, with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
New Zealanders are encouraged to wear face coverings, but workplaces may require workers, contractors or customers to wear face coverings as part of meeting their health and safety obligations. Masks or face coverings are mandatory on public transport and aircraft. That includes trains, buses, and ferries. It also includes the drivers of small passenger vehicles such as taxis, Uber and Zoomy.
Wear a face covering (external link) — covid19.govt.nz
For your staff
Keep contact tracing records of anyone who comes onto your premises, for example workers and contractors.
While at work, staff must remain a minimum of 1 metre apart at all times where practical.
You must manage and mitigate the health risks of staff interaction, including through increased hygiene measures, hand washing, regularly cleaning surfaces, and appropriate PPE use. This is especially important where staff must work closer than 1 metre.
Workers must stay home if they are sick.
Different advice applies to essential healthcare workers, border agencies, courts and tribunal staff, first responders and corrections staff.
COVID-19: Advice for health professionals (external link) — Ministry of Health.
For your customers
General retail businesses should manage customer entry and exit to achieve 2 metre physical distancing.
Businesses are encouraged to use electronic payment methods unless the customer has no alternative, and the business has measures in place to ensure the cash is handled safely. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has more guidance about handling cash.
Frequently asked questions about cash (external link) — Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Businesses that require close physical contact can operate but will need to operate differently to reduce the risk of transmission. This includes keeping contract tracing records, increased hygiene measures, hand washing, surface cleaning, and wearing appropriate PPE.
WorkSafe has more sector-specific guidance.
COVID-19 (external link) — WorkSafe
All businesses must now display a NZ COVID Tracer QR code for their business.
It must be in either a prominent place or near main entrances.
Create your official NZ COVID Tracer Poster (external link) — covid19.govt.nz
In all cases, the applicable rules for operating under their alert level must be followed.
Visit the MPI site for information specific to primary industries.
Information about COVID-19 and the primary sector (external link) — MPI
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. In Auckland, groups must be 10 people or less.
New Zealand Major Events have information on defined spaces.
COVID-19 Advice for event organisers (external link) — New Zealand Major Events
Nightclubs are unlikely to be able to operate in line with conditions on gatherings.
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).
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.
Couriers and parcel services can operate. Deliveries should be contactless.
Door-to-door sales should only operate if they are able to meet contact tracing requirements for businesses.
SOURCE: Business.govt.nz
