Working at COVID-19 DELTA Alert Level 2

Thursday September 9, 2021 14:02

Welcome to the latest newsletter from Securo New Zealand.

Today most of New Zealand is now at Covid-19 Alert level 2. After 3 weeks of lockdown most businesses and organisations can get back to work. There are, however, a few new requirements for the Delta variant as we now know that this is an airborne transmitted virus, and face-coverings and separation distances are key to minimising infections.

At this stage Auckland remains at Alert 4 until at least Monday 13 September 2021 and all Alert level 4 restrictions apply.

At Alert Level 2, all businesses can operate and have customers on their premises if they can do so safely.

All workers should keep at least 1 metre apart, where possible. To help everyone physically distance safely, you can:

• limit the number of people allowed in enclosed spaces such as lifts
• offer flexible working options, for example working from home
• have virtual meetings instead of meeting in person

Advice for workplaces that are not open to the public:

• If your workplace is not open to the public — for example, an office or a factory floor, workers only need to keep 1 metre apart. There is no limit on the number of people that can be on the workplace premises, as long as everyone can safely physically distance. Your employees do not need to wear a face covering, but we encourage everyone to wear one.
• Talk with your staff to identify risks and ways to manage them.
• Ask everyone — workers, contractors, and customers — with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.
• Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
• Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

There are specific rules for businesses in hospitality, retail and in-home services and businesses organising events or gatherings:

Physical distancing requirements for customers:

In places like retail stores, shopping malls, libraries, gyms, museums, swimming pools, and parts of offices where customers may be present, customers and clients on the premises need to stay 2 metres apart.

In other places where there is a cap on the number of people who can be present — for example cafes, restaurants and bars, customers and clients on the premises only need to keep 1 metre apart.

You can also limit customer contact by offering contactless payment options and providing contactless deliveries.

Face coverings:

Your employees must wear a face covering if they work:

• in a public-facing area of a court, tribunal, local or central government agency or social service provider
• as a delivery driver to residential addresses — delivery drivers only need to wear a face covering when they are out of their vehicle
• in a customer-facing role in a hospitality business, for example cafes or restaurants
• for a close contact service — for example, hairdressers or beauty therapists
• in a customer facing role at a retail store — including those that were operating at Alert Levels 3 and 4
• at an indoor public venue — for example, a library or museum — employees working at a swimming pool do not need to wear a face covering
• as a driver of a taxi, ride-share vehicle, ferry, bus or train used for public transport — this excludes school buses and ferries between the North Island and South Island.

Businesses must display an NZ COVID Tracer QR code in a prominent place at or near your main entrance.

Please refer to Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website for more information: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/

Please contact your Securo Consultant if you require further information and /or assistance with Covid 19 Safety Management Plans and associated operating procedures, or you can call us on 0800 55 33 44 or message us through our website https://www.securo.co.nz/contactus