An Alert Level 3 refresher

Except for Auckland and Northland, the rest of New Zealand moves down Alert Levels to Level 3 at midnight on Tuesday, 31 August 2021. Auckland will remain in Alert Level 4 for at least another 2 weeks, and Northlands’s Alert Levels will be reviewed on Thursday, 2 September 2021.

Some quick refreshers regarding working under Level 3:

  • Everyone should work from home if they can.

  • Businesses that require close physical contact cannot open. 

  • All other businesses can operate, but with restrictions in order to operate safely - this includes physical distancing, having extra hygiene measures and contactless options for ordering, pick-up, delivery and payment.

  • If your business does not have measures in place to operate safely, then you should close.

What does operating safely mean under Level 3?

  • Your business must be contactless - your customers can pay online, over the phone or in a contactless way. Delivery or pick-up must also be contactless.

  • Customers cannot come onto your premises, unless you are a:

    • supermarket

    • dairy

    • butcher

    • fishmonger

    • greengrocer

    • petrol station

    • pharmacy

    • health services

    • bank or financial institution - in person customer transactions can only happen if online or phone banking options are not possible.

    • hardware or DIY stores can open to trade customers only.

  • Customers cannot eat or drink on your premises, they must order takeaways.

  • If you own or run a business where staff cannot work home, make sure:

    • employees keep 1 metre apart. 

    • you provide hygiene and cleaning products so workers can clean and disinfect shared surfaces and wash and dry their hands.

    • you display your QR code and have an alternative contact tracing system for people who cannot access a smartphone.

    • Comply with all other health and safety obligations.

To find out more operating safely at Level 3, check out the Government guidance here: https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/operating-at-alert-levels/

Travel under Level 3

Business or work travel across Alert Level 4 and Alert Level 3 boundaries is strictly limited. You may only travel across the Alert Level 4 and Alert Level 3 boundary if that travel is permitted. You also need to make sure your workers have acceptable evidence that they are permitted to cross the boundary.

You can find out more about travel between boundaries, and apply for an exemption here: https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/travelling-across-alert-level-boundaries/business-travel-permissions-over-an-alert-level-4-and-3-boundary/

To find the most accurate information on Alert Level 3 and operating under Alert Level 3, see here: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/alert-level-3/

Stay safe and well.

Paige Signature.png
 
 
 
 

Paige Hellier

ER and Legal Consultant

COVID-19People Passion