At 12noon on Wednesday 12 August, Auckland will return to COVID-19 Level 3 restrictions and the rest of New Zealand to Level 2 restrictions due to 4 positive tests for Coronavirus in Auckland.

How does this affect your business?
As per the New Zealand Government advice, the following practises are to be implemented: –
Businesses
Businesses are able to open but should not physically interact with customers.
Under Alert Level 3, you are encouraged work from home if you can.
Workplaces should only open if:

  • workers cannot work from home, and
  • workplaces are operating safely, and
  • customers are not allowed on the premises, and
  • businesses can trade without physical contact with customers, for example through phone or online orders, delivery, pick-up and drive-through.

Businesses should not offer services that involve close personal contact unless it is an essential service, emergency, or critical situation.
Supermarkets, dairies, and petrol stations can have customers on their premises.
Retail is possible through delivery and non-contact collection at the door, including of prepared food. Customers should not consume food or drink on-premises.
If businesses cannot operate safely, employees should not go to work and the premises should remain closed.

“Operating safely” means:

  • complying with Alert Level 3 settings in this table, and
  • meeting appropriate public health requirements for their workplace, including for workers (eg putting up barriers), and
  • fulfilling all other health and safety obligations.

Under Alert Level 2 (outside of the Auckland region)
Businesses
Businesses can open to the public if they are following public health guidance, which includes physical distancing and record keeping.

What is the Auckland region?
The Auckland region is everything in the Auckland Council boundary — from Wellsford in the north to Pukekohe in the south.

How long will the restrictions remain in place?
It will remain at Alert Level 3 for at least 3 days. This will give time for the situation to be assessed and gather information, including contact tracing.

For more information click here