Wellington, August 23, 2021
Key things to note:
- The government has announced an extension to Alert Level 4 for all of New Zealand until 11:59pm Friday, August 27, 2021.
- There are 35 new cases of Covid-19 in the community with 33 in Auckland and two in Wellington. The number of cases in the community outbreak is 107.
- Yesterday, 35,766 Covid tests were processed yesterday with just over 17,000 taken across Auckland.
- Contact tracing is ongoing with 13,230 individual contacts identified.
- There are now more than 300 locations of interest listed by the Ministry of Health.
- It is normal to feel anxious or stressed. For support with anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- At Alert Level 4, everyone must stay in their current place of residence including tenants of rental accommodation.
Guidance on tenancies is available at tenancy.govt.nz.
- Travel at Alert Level 4 is limited, except for the permitted reasons. If you are travelling for one of the permitted reasons, you do not require a formal exemption to travel. Permitted reasons include accessing Alert Level 4 businesses or services, accessing health services, recreation and exercise, limited customary purposes, shared bubble arrangements, care of children and others, emergency or court ordered relocation, caring for pets or other animals and emergencies.
- Police are pleased to report that public compliance of Alert Level 4 requirements has generally been very good across the country.
- More than one million New Zealanders have been fully vaccinated. There have been 2.78 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine administered to date.
Mental health support
- Alert level 4 sees an increase in anxiety and mental health issues across New Zealand.
- Mental health and addiction services including residential support and respite services are considered essential and are available to New Zealanders.
- The Unite Against Covid-19 social media channels have been posting ‘check ins’ every 2 days since the start of lockdown. Focusing on wellbeing, these check-ins provide links to support and reinforce that help is available if needed.
- Over coming days, we will be connecting in with other government agencies to support the provision of mental health advice, messages and services to our communities.
- There are also a new range of “Mental Health Tiles” under “Alert Level 4 Assets” here.
Covid-19 Vaccine rollout
- Drive-through vaccination centres are being stood up around the country as DHBs implement their Alert Level 4 plans.
- This is a good way for people to be vaccinated safely with other eligible people in their bubble (in the same car).
- You still need a booking to attend a drive-through vaccination centre, and some centres are reserved for our essential workers, so look on BookMyVaccine.nz to see availability near you.
Resources
- Alert Level 4 folder
- Golden Rules social tiles and A4s supporting:
- Staying home, staying local, locations of interest, wearing a face covering, physical distancing, staying in your bubble, getting a test, keeping up good hygiene and scanning using the Covid Tracer App.
- Mental health tiles providing messaging:
- “It’s okay not to feel okay” and “Ways to look after your mental wellbeing” in English and Te Reo Maori
- Updated information for businesses and employees on:
- Working safely during covid-19
- Financial support and services available for businesses
- Financial support and services available for employees
- QR code posters
- Audio-described content on Unite Against Covid-19
- Today’s message grid from DPMC (attached) providing updates on:
- Alert Level 4 extension
- New community cases
- Covid-19 testing and wastewater testing
- Contact tracing update
- Locations of interest
- Crowne Plaza investigation
- Public compliance from NZ Police
- Available food and financial support for whānau, communities and businesses
- Travel and recreation under Alert Level 4
- Mental health services under Alert Level 4
- Advice tertiary students on testing
- Tenancy information at Alert Level 4
- The vaccine rollout
- And previous information and guidance to support New Zealanders while at Alert Level 4
Source: Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Wellington
