INFORMATION ON ALERT LEVELS(0416):
INFORMATION ON ALERT LEVELS(0416):
• The Prime Minister said our best economic strategy, is to win the fight against COVID-19. Overall, we have made a good start. We now need to prepare for what may come next.
• More information about each level is being made available today on the COVID-19 website. No decisions have been made yet. This will happen on Monday at a Cabinet meeting. These announcements are being made now so that when it comes time to move alert levels, we are ready to move.
• There will still be restrictions under Alert Level Three. The last thing we want to do is give away the gains that we have made in lockdown.
• Under Alert Level Three we still need to restrict contact with others. There is still a high risk the virus can bounce back. The message is the same - Stay Home and Save Lives.
• Under Alert Level Three you still need to keep your bubble. But you can expand your bubble a little bit. Keep it exclusive and small.
• For businesses and workplaces under Alert Level Three we will move from essential operations to safe operations. You must work from home if you can. There is more detail on the website about this.
• Examples of workplaces that can operate under Alert Level Three are businesses who work in people’s homes for example plumbers and electricians. The key is to keep your distance.
• Unfortunately bars, restaurants, cafes, malls and retail stores may not open under Alert Level Three. However, food delivery, takeaways and click and collect may be operating, as long as they are not engaging in face-to-face transactions.
• The Government continues to work with industry sectors on decisions and more information will be to come.
• Under Alert Level Three there will be a partial reopening of education for children up to Year 10 only. This will allow children of parents who need to go to work can be in a bubble at school. Tertiary education will mainly stay online.
• Travel restrictions remain. At Alert Level Three we ask that you keep travel in your region.
• When it comes to recreation. Under Alert Level Three you can do more, but it needs to be alone in your bubble, low risk and non-motorised – for example no boating or jet skis.
• You will be allowed to swim, surf and fish from the shore. However now is not the time to take up a new activity that you have never done before - it is too risky.
• Under Alert Level Three we should not congregate. There will be some allowances of 10 people to attend a funeral and tangihanga. Weddings will be allowed but only services – no meals just ceremonies.
• We need to remember it only requires one person to have COVID-19 to spread it.
• Keep a note of where you have been and who has been around you. Just in case we need to contact you.
• There is a risk and a high level of trust here under Alert Level Three.
• There will be a self-accreditation for some businesses developed over the next week.
Further information on Alert Level 3 can be found on our website: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/alert-level-3/