Covirus 19 coronavirus: what the next levels of alert mean to you

KEY POINTS:
• Minor bubble extensions
• Reopening of electronic commerce
• Takeaways and coffees available, as long as the company can receive orders and payments through an application or online
• Continue working from home
• Partial reopening of schools.
• Funerals, weddings limited to 10 people.

The Prime Minister has revealed what life will be like on Alert Level 3 as New Zealand continues to fight to wipe out Covid-19.

But the government will not announce whether we move to level 3 next week until Monday.

New Zealand has registered 1,401 coronavirus cases with 15 new cases announced today.

The country has been in a level 4 alert blockade for three and a half weeks and was initially expected to remain closed until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.

Important restrictions will remain in hospitality businesses such as restaurants, bars, and retail stores.

But food deliveries and e-commerce could reopen, Ardern said, but face-to-face transactions will not be allowed.

“The main message remains to stay home to save lives,” said Ardern.

“It is still the most effective way to break the chain of transmission. At level 3 there are slightly more opportunities for you to come into contact with people outside of your bubble. As a general rule, aim to keep two meters away from each one another still applies. “

Eliminating Covid-19 will continue to require a team effort of five million. Under the blockade we have demonstrated our ability to establish a virtual wall that has broken the transmission chain. Our new line of defense when we reach level 3 is common sense, follow the rules and trust each other. “

Ardern released more detailed data on each alert level showing that alert level 3 would see people stay home in their bubble other than for essential personal movement, including going to work, to school if necessary or for local recreation.

BUSINESSES AND WORKPLACES

If you can, working from home is Ardern’s message to employers.

When that is not possible, companies can reopen, but must comply with the health and safety requirements related to physical distance and commitment without contact with customers.

Businesses that are only accessed by staff and without a customer-oriented role, such as construction and construction or forestry, can open under strict health and safety and physical distance standards.

Businesses that are accessible to the public or customers, such as retail stores, hardware stores, and restaurants, can open, but only for online or phone purchases and contactless delivery or click-and-collect.

READ MORE:
• Covid Coronavirus 19: What will life be like outside the blockade at level 3?
• Covid 19 coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern says that major restrictions for kiwis will remain below alert level 3
• Covid Coronavirus 19: PM Jacinda Ardern mocks New Zealand details under Alert Level 3
• Covid Coronavirus 19: Al Brown is reluctant to reopen restaurants below alert level 3

SOCIAL DISTANCE

Keep your bubble but you can expand it “a small amount” at level 3, Ardern said.

People must remain within their immediate domestic bubble, but they can expand this to reconnect with close relatives or whānau, or bring caregivers or support isolated people.

This extended bubble should remain exclusive.

Sticking to existing bubbles is recommended, but some expansion is allowed if, for example, you have a caregiver you need, children in shared care, a de facto partner who cares about others, or if you are a single person who wants company. of a brother for example. Make it exclusive and keep it small.

Funerals and weddings may continue, but will be limited to 10 people. But they can only be services. Meals, meals or receptions cannot be held.

Public places are closed (eg libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, swimming pools, playgrounds, markets).

SCHOOLS

Early childhood education centers and schools will be opened for children up to and including 10 years of age, with appropriate public health measures. All youth in years 11-13 will continue to learn at home.

Physical attendance at school is voluntary, but all children not in school should learn at a distance.

Schools will be a safe place for children to learn if their parents need to return to work or if children cannot learn at a distance.

Children who can, should stay home and learn at a distance.

Children at school would be kept in the same groups every day and it would be up to each school to figure out how to do it, Ardern said.

Schools and ECEs will communicate with parents as they work on their reopening plans.

Home-based early learning services can resume up to a maximum number of 4 licensed children, including educators’ own children, provided the public health requirements are met.

Game centers and playgroups will be closed.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks are not necessary for the school environment. Children, youth and staff at higher risk are encouraged to stay home. Any child, youth or staff member who is ill should stay home.

Schools and early childhood centers will take at least a week to prepare to open after going to Level 3 alert.

New Zealand’s largest university will run all courses remotely until semester 2 begins in July, regardless of Covid-19 alert level, for fear of entering and exiting different alert levels will be too damaging.

Auckland University Deputy Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater told students last Thursday that this would be the case at Alert Level 3 or even the unlikely event that New Zealand would move quickly to Alert Level 2. .

RECREATION

You can perform local activities, which you can do safely and that do not involve interacting with other people or equipment touched by other people.

You should go to your closest beach or park, not your favorite.

Boating and jetskis are still prohibited because they may be prone to breakdowns.

But you can swim, surf and fish from the shore.

But don’t start a new activity that you haven’t done before.

If there are signs of congregation, this rule will be reconsidered, so kiwis shouldn’t consider it a time to catch up with all of their swimming buddies, Ardern said.

Overnight stays in a vacation or vacation home are not allowed.

The public game team would remain closed.

HEALTH CARE

Health services should use virtual contactless consultations, whenever possible.

People at high risk for serious illness (older people and those with existing medical conditions) are encouraged to stay home whenever possible and take extra precautions when leaving home. They can choose to work.

Primary care will continue to open, Allied Health and dentists will open.

TRAVEL

Travel restrictions remain but move from local to regional.

This recognizes that more people will travel to work or take children to school. But to avoid bringing potential COVID-19 cases to other parts of the country, restricting movement to what is necessary remains the goal.

Interregional travel is very limited (for example, for essential workers, with limited exemptions for others).

If you were in the wrong place when the restrictions were put in place and need to get home, you can now move across New Zealand to do so. You can only move once and in one direction. New Zealanders can travel to or from the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau once, and in only one direction.

What level 2 will look like

Level 3, Ardern said, was either a waiting room or a recovery room, designed to restrict the spread of the virus.

Tier 2 means Covid-19 is contained, but the risk of community transmission remains.

Level 2 would see different restrictions including:

• Physical distance of one meter away from home (even on public transport).

• Meetings of up to 100 people inside and 500 outside are allowed, maintaining the requirements of physical distance and location of contacts.

• Sports and recreational activities are allowed if meeting conditions are met, physical distance is followed, and travel is local.

• Public places can open, but must meet meeting conditions and take public health measures.

• Health services work as normally as possible.

• Most companies open, and business facilities can be open to staff and customers with appropriate measures in place. Alternative forms of work are encouraged (eg, remote work, shift work, physical distancing, amazing meal breaks, flexible leave).

• Schools and early childhood education centers are open, with distance learning available for those who cannot attend school (eg, self-isolation).

• People are advised to avoid nonessential interregional travel.

• People at high risk for serious illness (older people and people with existing medical conditions) are encouraged to stay home whenever possible and take extra precautions when leaving home. They can choose to work.

What Level 1 will look like

Alert level 1 is when Covid-19 is contained and New Zealand is poised for an outbreak.

Restrictions under alert level 1 include:

• Border entry measures to minimize the risk of importing COVID-19 cases.

• Intensive tests for COVID-19.

• Fast tracking of contacts of any positive case.

• Isolation and quarantine are required.

• Schools and workplaces are open and must operate safely.

• Physical distancing is encouraged.

• There are no restrictions on meetings.

• Stay home if you are sick, report flu-like symptoms.

• Wash and dry your hands, cough at the elbow, do not touch your face.

• No restrictions on domestic transportation: avoid public transportation or travel if you are sick.

• Covid19.govt.nz – The official government Covid-19 advisory website