Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 16, 2020
The New Zealand government is considering to moving to Alert Level 3 following the end of the current Alert 3 next week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today.
However, much of the existing restrictions are likely to continue, which she described as the ‘Waiting Room’ and as a period of recovery.
“There are promising signs that our ‘go hard and go early elimination strategy’ is working and the lockdown is breaking the chain of community transmission. Any move to Level 3 cannot put those gains at risk,” she said.
She advised people to continue to work from home ‘if possible.’
Progression, not normalcy
“By design, Level 3 is a progression, not a rush to normality. It carries forward many of the restrictions in place at Level 4, including the requirement to mainly be at home in your bubble and to limit contact with others. Protecting the health of New Zealanders is our primary focus but we also need to position the economy for recovery. Importantly the test for a business opening at Level 3 moves to it being safe, rather than being essential,” Ms Ardern said.
It is understood that several activities which are now considered non-essential, will be allowed under Alert Level 3.
Some new exceptions
A list of businesses that can operate at this level will be published shortly, but Ms Ardern said that forestry, construction and some services such as furniture removal can operate.
Early childhood centres and schools will be available up to Year 10 only, but attendance will be purely voluntary. For children who are able, distance learning is still the best option. Tertiary education will mostly be through distance learning, she said.
Ms Ardern said that travel restrictions remain but move from local to regional. This recognises that more people will travel to work, or to take children to school. .
But to avoid taking potential COVID-19 cases to other parts of the country, restricting movement to what is necessary remains the goal
Ms Ardern recommended people to stick to their existing bubbles but some expansion can be allowed (caregivers, children in shared care, a de facto partner who is caring for others, or a single person who wants the company of a sibling). Keep it exclusive and keep it small, she said.
Social distancing in force
“People must work from home if they can. Where that is not possible businesses may re-open but must comply with health and safety requirements around physical distancing and contactless engagement with customers. Businesses only accessed by the staff, and without a customer facing function, such as building and construction or forestry can open under strict health and safety and physical distancing rules,” Ms Ardern said.
She said that businesses that are accessed by the public or customers such as retail, hardware stores and restaurants can open but only for online or phone purchases and contactless delivery or click and collect.
Funerals and weddings
Funerals and weddings can be held but limited to ten people. But they can only be services. No meals, food or receptions will be allowed.
“We have engaged with sector groups on the details announced so far. Further details will continue to be made available over the coming days. The main message remains stay home to save lives. It remains 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 your bubble. As a general rule of thumb, the goal of keeping two metres away from each other still applies,” she said.
“To eliminate COVID-19 will continue to take a team-of-five-million effort. Under lockdown we have shown our ability to put in place a virtual wall that has broken the chain of transmission. Our new line of defence when we reach Level 3 is common sense, following the rules and trust in one another,” Ms Ardern said.
If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800-3585453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP – please do not show up at a medical centre.
