At Alert Level 2 businesses can operate if they are able to do so safely. You will be able to have customers on your premises, if you can meet the public health requirements to do so. Most importantly, you need to have a contact tracing system in place – recording everyone who you interact with. Physical distancing will need to be maintained at 1 metre between groups of customers.
Some businesses like hairdressers or home help, require close personal contact. They can operate too if they have a contact tracing system in place, good hygiene practices and minimise contact to the extent possible. The Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment will provide more specific guidance and we recommend you check their website for detailed information.
Any staff who is feeling unwell should stay home and review guidelines for self-isolation.
The government has published eight golden rules for business at alert level 2 – please read the below carefully.
- COVID-19 is still out there. Play it safe.
- All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are still encouraged where possible.
- Talk with your workers to identify risks and ways to manage them.
- Ask everyone, workers, contractors and customers, with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.
- Keep groups of customers 1 metre apart.
- Keep contact-tracing records of anyone who will have close interaction (workers, contractors or customers).
- Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
We recommend going through these rules with your team and make sure everyone is clear on operational requirements.
More information is available here.
Disclaimer: Please note this information is up to date in accordance with the posting date and time of this particular blog article. Any further updates released by the government and its associated ministries can be found on https://covid19.govt.nz .
