Moving to the new Alert Levels

What it means for businesses

The Government has advised that at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August the Auckland region will move to Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2.  Although the restrictions are scheduled to lift at midnight on Friday, it is possible they will be extended or even strengthened.

Here’s what the current restrictions mean for businesses:

Auckland region: Level 3

Under Alert Level 3, you are required to work from home if you can.

Workplaces can only open if:

  • workers cannot work from home, and
  • workplaces are operating safely, and
  • customers are not allowed on the premises, and
  • businesses can trade without physical contact with customers, for example through phone or online orders, delivery, pick-up and drive-through.

Doing business at Alert Level 3

Rest of NZ: Level 2

The rules for businesses at Alert Level 2 are as follows:

  • All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are still encouraged where possible.
  • Do everything you can to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work, including discussions with employees to identify risks and ways to manage them.
  • Ask everyone – workers, contractors, suppliers and customers – with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.
  • Keep groups of customers at least 1 metre apart, or 2 metres for retail businesses.
  • Keep contact tracing records of anyone who will have close interaction in your business or premises. However, retail businesses are not required to keep contact tracing records.
  • Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
  • Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

Doing business at Alert Level 2

As we saw last time, available information and guidance changes rapidly, for up-to-date advice we recommend you refer to Unite against COVID-19.

Wishing you all the best over the coming days – Stay safe, stay well, and keep others safe and well too.