Business at each Alert Level

Detailed information on business operation throughout the Covid-19 alert levels here:

https://covid19.govt.nz/businesses-and-employees/

Bubble shape with the words "Level 4 - Eliminate" written inside.

Alert Level 4

During the lockdown, only essential services are permitted to operate while maintaining optimal hygiene standards. Essential services include supermarkets, doctors, dairies, vets, pet stores, emergency services, rubbish collection, petrol stations, internet services, pharmacies, and more.

Find a list of essential services here: https://covid19.govt.nz/businesses-and-employees/employers/

  • People to stay at home
  • Educational facilities closed
  • All non-essential businesses closed
  • Rationing of supplied and requisitioning of facilities
  • Severe travel restrictions
  • Major reprioritisation of healthcare services
Bubble shape with the words "Level 3 - Restrict" written inside.

Alert Level 3

Taking every safety precaution possible, some businesses which cannot operate from home are permitted to operate while still restricting contact where possible. These businesses include forestry, construction, manufacturing, furniture removal, electricians, plumbers, and more.

Bars, restaurants, cafes, and retailers are to remain closed, although food-delivery, drive-throughs, click and collect, online deliveries are expected to reopen, provided only contactless transactions carried out.

The critical questions are: Is it possible for your business to have social distancing? Can you build in contact tracing tools or mechanisms to keep track of your supply chain and customers?

Business Operation in Level 3:

  • If your business requires close physical contact it can’t operate
  • Your staff should work from home if they can
  • Customers cannot come onto your premises. Unless you are a supermarket, dairy, petrol station, pharmacy or permitted health service
  • 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
  • Basic hygiene measures must be maintained. Physical distancing, hand washing and regularly cleaning surfaces. Workers must stay home if they are sick
  • If you used PPE in your business before COVID-19, then keep using it in the same way. If you didn’t use PPE in your business before COVID-19, you don’t need it now. This is advice for retailers, manufacturers and the service industries. Different advice applies to essential healthcare workers, border agencies, courts and tribunal staff, first responders and corrections staff
  • Visit https://www.health.govt.nz/ for more advice
  • You must meet all other health and safety obligations

Find more information on business at Alert Level 3 here: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/alert-level-3/#workers-and-businesses

Bubble shape with the words "Level 2 - Reduce" written inside.

Alert Level 2

Level 2 is designed to get people back to work and the economy back up and running. The name of the game is to Play It Safe.

  • All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are still encouraged where possible, and the fewer people congregated the better.
  • Contact tracing (workers, contractors or customers), practicing good hygiene, and maintaining a distance is critical to safe business operation.
  • In-home services including domestic cleaners are able to operate.
  • Indoor gatherings are limited to 100 people, including hospitality establishments.
  • High contact surfaces such as door handles and eftpos machines are to be sanitized frequently.
  • Hospitality venues are required to adhere to the three S’s: Seated. Separated. Single Server - no one served at counters.
  • Health & Beauty technicians are to wear PPE.
  • More industry-specific guidelines to come.
  • Domestic travel now open, provided purpose of travel remains within health guidelines.

Find more information on business at Alert Level 2 here:https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/covid-19-alert-system/#level-2-reduce

Bubble shape with the words "Level 1 - Prepare" written inside.

Alert Level 1

  • Border entry measures to minimise risk of importing COVID-19 cases.
  • Intensive testing for COVID-19.
  • Rapid contact tracing of any positive case.
  • Self-isolation and quarantine required.
  • Schools and workplaces open, and must operate safely.
  • Physical distancing encouraged.
  • No restrictions on gatherings.
  • Stay home if you’re sick, report flu-like symptoms.
  • Wash and dry hands, cough into elbow, don’t touch your face.
  • No restrictions on domestic transport – avoid public transport or travel if sick.

Find more information on business at Alert Level 1 here:https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/covid-19-alert-system/#level-1-prepare