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 – Legislation New Zealand
AND they are operating safely, in accordance with 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 — 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 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, models 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.
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 GR 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.
Information about COVID-19 and the primary sector — MPI
SOURCE: BUSINESS.GOVT.NZ
