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Current COVID-19 alert level
We are at Level 3 of New Zealand’s four-level COVID-19 alert system.
About COVID-19
We all need to work together if we want to slow the spread of COVID-19. You can unite against the virus now.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new virus that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a type of coronavirus. There are simple steps you can take to protect you, your family and whānau.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
a fever (at least 38°C)
a cough
shortness of breath.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as colds and flu.
Time for symptoms to appear
We’re still learning about COVID-19. We don’t yet know how long symptoms take to show after a person has been infected. Current evidence suggests it is 2 -10 days.
How it spreads
Like the flu, COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person. The scientific evidence confirms that COVID-19 is spread by droplets. When an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, they may generate droplets containing the virus. These droplets are too large to stay in the air for long, so they quickly settle on surrounding surfaces.
People may get infected by the virus if they touch those surfaces or objects, and then touch their mouth, nose or eyes.
That’s why it’s really important to use good hygiene, regularly wash and thoroughly dry your hands, and use good cough and sneeze etiquette.
New Zealand's COVID-19 alert levels
New Zealand’s four-level COVID-19 alert system specifies public health and social measures to be taken against COVID-19.
The alert system means people can see and plan for the kinds of restrictions we may be required to put in place. This includes escalating restrictions on human contact, travel and business operations.
More information about the COVID-19 alert system
Staying at home “ what it means
What you must do
We are currently at Level 3, but are preparing to move to Level 4.
We will move to COVID-19 alert level 4 at 11.59pm on Wednesday 25 March.
What that means for you is that New Zealanders who are outside of essential services must stay at home and stop all interactions with others outside of those in your households.
We know that this is a big ask. Eradicating the disease is vital to protect people’s health and ensure our health system can cope and look after New Zealanders who become sick.
You may go for a walk or exercise and enjoy nature, but keep a 2 metre distance from people at all times. You can take your children outside.
Food will always be available production will continue, distribution will continue, supermarkets will continue. You will always have access to food.
Medicines will always be available.
Healthcare for those that need it will be available.
Your usual financial support, like benefits, will continue as normal.
Remember whatever you do must be solitary. We are asking that you only spend time with those who you are in self-isolation with, and keep your distance from all others at all times.
We need your support to protect New Zealand and eradicate COVID-19. Enforcement measures may be used to ensure everyone acts together, now.
Where can I get financial support?
The Government is acting to support New Zealanders through these changes with an updated package that has been expanded now we have escalated our response. This includes:
a wage subsidy scheme
leave and self-isolation support
business cash flow and tax measures.
Your usual financial support, such as benefits, will continue.
Find out more about COVID-19 support on the Work and Income website.https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/
Essential businesses
Essential businesses, and those that support them, will continue to provide the necessities of life for everyone in New Zealand.
This means food, medicine, healthcare, energy, fuel, waste-removal, internet and financial support will continue to be available.
What are essential businesses?
Entities and their workers carrying out the following services are considered essential. This also includes entities in their supply chains (eg those providing IT and data infrastructure to an entity providing an essential service).
This list will evolve over time. It was last updated at 8 pm, 23 March 2020.
Sectors Entities providing essential services (including their supply chains)
Accommodation
Lead agency: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Any entity that provides accommodation services for essential workers, isolation/quarantine, and emergency housing
Border
Lead agency: Customs New Zealand
Customs New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries
Building and construction
Lead agency: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Any entity involved in building and construction related to essential services and critical infrastructure
Any entity involved in building and construction required immediately to maintain human health and safety at home or work
Any entity that performs or is involved in building and resource consenting necessary for the above purposes
Courts, tribunals and the justice system
Lead agency: Ministry of Justice
Courts of New Zealand, tribunals
Critical Crown entities (eg Electoral Commission)
Education
Lead agency: Ministry of Education
At level 3 only:
Any person employed or contracted as teaching, nursery and childcare staff, including specialist education professionals and others who provide support (eg to disabled children)
Any person employed by or contracted to an educational facility
Any entity supplying educational facilities or educational materials (eg printers)
Fast-moving consumer goods
Lead agency: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Any entity involved in the supply, delivery, distribution and sale of food, beverage and other key consumer goods essential for maintaining the wellbeing of people, but not takeaway shops
Financial services
Lead agencies: Financial Markets Authority and Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Banks, insurers and other financial institutions, including any entity that contracts or provides services to them (eg secure money delivery services)
Securities registries
NZX
Health
Lead agency: Ministry of Health
District Health Boards (and all of their facilities), Pharmac, New Zealand Blood Service, Health Promotion Agency, Health Quality and Safety Commission
Any person employed or contracted as a doctor, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, paramedic, medical laboratory scientists, kaiāwhina workers, social workers, aged care and community workers, and caregivers more generally
Hospitals, primary care clinics, pharmacies, medical laboratories, care facilities (eg rest homes)
Any entity providing ambulance services
Any entity involved with the deceased/tūpāpaku (eg funeral homes, crematories, cemeteries)
Any entity producing health sector equipment, medicines and PPE
Local and national government
Lead agencies: Department of Internal Affairs (local government) and State Services Commission (national government)
Any entity involved in COVID-19 response, enforcement, planning or logistics or that has civil defence/emergency management functions (including any entity that supplies services for these purposes)
Key public services (see note below for agencies)
Primary industries, including food and beverage production and processing
Lead agency: Ministry for Primary Industries
Any entity involved in the packaging, production and processing of food and beverage products, whether for domestic consumption or export
Any entity involved in relevant support services, such as food safety and verification, inspection or associated laboratory services, food safety and biosecurity functions
Any entity providing veterinary services
Any entity whose closure would jeopardise the maintenance of animal health or welfare standards (including the short-term survival of a species)
Public safety and national security
Lead agency: National Emergency Management Agency
The Department of Corrections, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand Police, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, Government Communications Security Bureau
Courts of New Zealand
Any person employed or contracted in a public safety or national security role
Science
Lead agency: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
ESR, GNS, GeoNet, NIWA, MetService
Any entity (including research organisations) involved in COVID-19 response
Any entity (including research organisations) involved in hazard monitoring and resilience
Any entity (including research organisations) involved in diagnostics for essential services like biosecurity, public health
Laboratories and Physical Containment level 3 (PC3) facilities that could provide essential services and products that could be used to respond to COVID-19
Other significant research facilities including animal facilities, clinical trials and infrastructure that requires constant attention (eg samples, collections and storage facilities) that are important to New Zealand
Social services
Lead Agency: Ministry of Social Development/Oranga Tamariki
Those entities, including non-government organisations, that provide welfare and social services to meet immediate needs, to be specified jointly by the Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki
Transport and logistics
Lead agency: Ministry of Transport
Ministry of Transport, New Zealand Customs, New Zealand Transport Agency, Civil Aviation Authority (including Aviation Security Service), Maritime New Zealand (including the Rescue Coordination Centre), Airways NZ, MetService, KiwiRail (including Interislander), and any entity which is contracted by these entities
Any entity that provides, or is contracted to an entity that provides, logistics services, including New Zealand Post and courier services
Any entity providing, or is contracted by an entity that provides, transport services to the Ministry of Health, a District Health Board, a Medical Officer of Health, or a Controller (as defined in section 4 of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act 2002)
Any entity which provides services related to the maintenance and ongoing operation of critical infrastructure (eg roads, rail, ports, airports)
Any entity which operates or is contracted by an entity listed in Schedule 1 of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act 2002, an aerodrome, a passenger and/or freight aviation service, a passenger and/or freight shipping service, a road freight service, a rail freight service, a vehicle recovery service; or a public transport service (under contract with a Regional Council)
Any small passenger service vehicle driver (who holds the relevant licence)
Any entity providing services to keep vehicles operational for essential work purposes (eg vehicle testing, mechanics, tyre services)
Utilities and communications, including supply chains
Lead agency: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Ministry for Culture and Heritage (for broadcasting)
Any entity involved in the production, supply, sale distribution or disposal of electricity, gas, water, waste water (eg sanitation), waste (eg rubbish collection), fuel, telecommunication services, and any entity that is contracted by these entities
News (including news production) and broadcast media
Internet service providers
Any entity that provides maintenance and repair services for utilities and communications, including supply chains
Any entity supplying services to an essential workplaces that are required for the safe operation of that workplace (eg cleaning, security services)
For the avoidance of doubt, specified sectors and occupations in the following are also included in this list of essential services:
Schedule 1 of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management CDEM Act 2002 Schedule 1 of lifeline utilities, and
Employment Relations Act 2000 Schedule 1 of essential services.
The entities listed above will continue working, but will put in place alternative ways of working to keep employees safe, including shift-based working, staggered meal breaks, flexible leave arrangements and physical distancing.
We are setting up a call centre and free 0800 number to help answer questions about this. Our website will be updated as soon as this is set up.
More specific information for each sector will be published shortly.
Download the list of essential businesses
Essential businesses list as at 8 pm, 23 March 2020
Non-essential businesses
Non-essential businesses must now close. All bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries, playgrounds and any other place where the public congregate must close their face to face function.
Over the next 48 hours as we move to Level 4, takeaway services must move to close their operations.
Physical distancing means staff and the public stay 2 metres apart, hand hygiene and cleaning must be maintained. Keeping full details of guests, and keeping people away if they are sick is required.
Essential businesses and those that support them will continue to provide the necessities of life for everyone in New Zealand. This means food, healthcare, energy, internet, waste collection and financial support will always be available. They must have health measures and contact tracing in place.
We need your support to protect New Zealand and eradicate COVID-19.
Enforcement measures may be used to ensure everyone acts together, now.
Where can I get financial support?
The Government is acting to support New Zealanders through these changes with an updated package that has been expanded now we have escalated our response. This includes:
a wage subsidy scheme
leave and self-isolation support
business cash flow and tax measures.
Your usual financial support, such as benefits, will continue.
Find out more about COVID-19 support on the Work and Income website.(external link)
Why?
These measures are about stopping the spread of the disease to keep New Zealanders safe, while also providing vital services.
Gatherings are cancelled
All indoor and outdoor events cannot proceed.
This does not include workplaces of people undertaking essential businesses.
These requirements apply to family and social gatherings such as birthdays, funerals, tangi or weddings. These gatherings can not go ahead.
We are asking you only spend time with those who you are in self-isolation with, and keep your distance from all others at all times.
Education
All schools and early childhood education (ECE) centres will be closed.
Schools will be providing information directly to all parents about what this means for them.
The children of essential workers like doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers and police – are still able to go to school or early childhood centres for the next 48 hours. For these families, schools will then be closed from the end of Wednesday.
The upcoming school term break will be brought forward to start on Monday, 30 March. For the remainder of this week and through the term break, schools will establish ways to deliver teaching online and remotely.
Educational providers that remain open over the next 48 hours will put in place appropriate public health measures – including physical distancing of 2 metres and contact tracing.
As always, anyone who is unwell should not be at school.
How to access Healthcare
If you need to see a Doctor or other medical professional you MUST phone first.
Most consultations will happen over the phone (or by videoconference) to stop any risk of the disease spreading by person to person contact.
If a face to face meeting is required, your doctor or other medical professional will organise this with you.
When should I seek medical advice?
If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.
Find out more about COVID-19 symptoms
Can I leave my house to seek medical attention during an alert Level 3 or 4?
If you require any medical assistance, you must phone your doctor or the hospital first. Health and medical facilities are recognised as an essential service and will remain open, even in a Level 4 lockdown.
If you are in need of urgent assistance, contact emergency services (dial 111).
I can't get through to Healthline/my local doctor
Many New Zealanders are reaching out for help and advice but it’s important phone lines for Healthline and GPs to be kept free so those who need medical advice can ring through.
Everything will be done to get people the support they need as quickly as possible.
Please try to only call Healthline or your GP when you need medical assistance. If your call is not directly related to medical assistance, you may be able to find answers to your questions on the covid19.govt.nz
If you are in need of urgent assistance, contact emergency services (dial 111).
What do I do if I need a repeat prescription for my regular medication?
Your Doctor will have in place ways to get a prescription without seeing your Doctor face to face. Please ring your Doctor for further information.
Pharmacies are recognised as an essential service and will remain open, even in Level 4.
If you need to go to your local pharmacy, phone them first to ensure you are able to go in-store.
If you are part of an at-risk group you may need to ask someone to pick up your medicines on your behalf.
What should I do if I am at risk, immune-compromised or have someone at risk in my household?
You are at high-risk if you are over 70, pregnant, or have underlying health conditions.
People with underlying medical conditions include a compromised immune system, liver disease, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes mellitus, respiratory issues or on immunosuppressant medications.
You might live with an at-risk person and want information on how to protect their health. Visit the Ministry of Health website https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
Public transport and travel
Travel in New Zealand will change. We are asking everyone to limit their movement around the country to help us contain COVID-19.
Public transport will only be available for those working in essential services, for medical reasons, and to get to the supermarket.
Ferry services, road and rail will still be available for the transport of essential goods.
Driving in private vehicles is allowed.
Private Vehicles and active travel
Using private vehicles for transport is allowed. Where possible, practice physical distancing.
Personal walks and other active travel is fine, provided you follow the two metre physical distancing requirement at all times.
International air travel
Visitors and tourists can still use international air services to travel home.
Do not go to the airport unless you have a ticket. If you do not have ticket contact a travel agent or airline directly. If you are unable to secure a ticket please contact your country embassy.
Domestic air travel
While we are in Alert Level 3, people will need to get home, be it locally or throughout the country. We have asked all air transport providers to ensure social distancing for that period.
However, from 23:59 Wednesday 25 March, 2020, we will be moving to air travel only applying to the transport of people undertaking essential services and the transport of freight.
Visitors and tourists can use domestic air travel to proceed to an international airport.
If you are feeling unwell, particularly with a cough, shortness of breath or fever, or if you’re sneezing or have a runny nose, don’t travel.
If you are on a flight, it is particularly important that you cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. Where possible carry hand sanitizer and tissues. If it’s possible, sit in a window seat in a row by yourself.
Transport for those unwell
If you have any COVID-19 related concerns please call Healthline (0800 358 5453) for advice before you travel.
To help limit the spread of any virus, those who are unwell should stay at home. If you’re unwell and must travel, private transport is required. If that’s not possible, call Healthline for guidance first (0800 358 5453).
At risk people
People over 70 years of age, people who have compromised immunity or people who have underlying respiratory conditions should stay at home as much as they can.
At risk people include:
Those over 70: Older people often have underlying health issues, including respiratory issues that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
People with medical conditions: Underlying medical conditions can make you more vulnerable to COVID-19. In particular, people with respiratory conditions, such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), heart conditions, high blood pressure, kidney problems and diabetes.
People undergoing a treatment for cancer and blood conditions: As treatments for cancer and blood conditions affect people’s immune systems, this makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Pregnant women: Health experts do not yet know if pregnant women are impacted by COVID-19 in the same way as other people. However, pregnant women experience changes in their bodies that may increase their risk from some infections.
People without easy access to healthcare
Download a poster asking people not enter your building(external link)
Find out more about COVID-19
For some of new Zealand’s communities, other aspects of their lives may mean they are also at risk. This includes:
Residents of aged care facilities: Aged care facilities are susceptible to rapid transmission of viruses like this. Residents are more susceptible to illnesses due to their age and they are also more likely to have underlying health conditions.
We are at Level 3 of New Zealand’s four-level COVID-19 alert system.
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