Stopping COVID-19 is everyone’s business

Many Otago businesses will be eager to get back into action under Level 3 but preventing the spread of COVID-19 must remain a top priority, says Otago Civil Defence Controller Richard Saunders.

“Thanks to Otago’s collective efforts, we have done really well in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” says Mr Saunders.

“Losing ground and going backwards in our fight is the last thing we need, so businesses need to play their part as we move into Level 3.”  

He says the region’s business community will have an important role in getting Otago’s economy back on its feet. However, protecting employees and the public needed to be the top priority for any businesses able to reopen.

“Life under Level 3 is not without risk and it is critical that health measures are strictly upheld to manage these risks,” says Saunders.  

Businesses who can operate safely in Level 3 can start preparing this week, with safety restrictions in place. This includes returning to places of work to receive freight if necessary providing people stick to social distancing and their bubbles.

The golden rules for businesses under Alert Level 3 are:  

1. If your business required close physical contact, it can’t operate.
   
2. Your staff should work from home if they can.
   
3. Customers cannot come on to your premises – unless you are a supermarket, dairy, petrol station, pharmacy or permitted health service.
4. Your business must be contactless – your customers can pay online, over the phone or in another contactless way. Delivery or pick-up must also be contactless.
5. Basic hygiene measures must be maintained – this includes physical distancing, hand-washing and regular cleaning of surfaces. Workers must stay home if they are sick.
6. 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 the advice for retailers, manufacturers and service industries. Different advice applies to essential healthcare workers, border agencies, courts and tribunal staff, first responders and Corrections staff. See www.moh.govt.nz for more advice.
7. You must meet all other health and safety obligations.  

New Zealand won’t be moving into Level 3 until Tuesday 28 April. Until then, all Level 4 requirements still apply.