Face coverings: Cover for each other

Face coverings must be worn on public transport at Alert Levels 1 and 2, until further notice. Everyone must all play their part – we need to “cover for each other”. 

Auckland?is?currently at?Alert Level 2?and?the rest of New Zealand?at?Alert Level 1.?These settings?will?be reviewed by Cabinet on?Monday 22 February. 

It is important we keep up the good behaviours?that have allowed us to shift Alert Levels overnight.? 

Face coverings are an important protective barrier to help keep us and our whanau safe.? 

As well as being worn on public transport, face?coverings?must?also be worn on all domestic flights. 

Public transport includes all buses, trains and commuter ferries, but does not include the Cook Strait ferries because there is room for physical distancing.? 

Please be kind to?public transport staff and drivers when they ask you to wear a face covering. They are?just doing their job.? 

Taxi and ride-share drivers must now wear face coverings at Alert Level 1. While it’s not compulsory for passengers to wear them, we strongly encourage?them?to.? 

More information can be found on the?Unite Against COVID website.

Have a plan to scan

The NZ COVID Tracer app is one of our best tools for beating a community?outbreak. 

It is important that people keep tracking their movements using the NZ COVID Tracer app and turn on the app’s Bluetooth function. 

Regular use of the?NZ COVID Tracer?app?helps us protect ourselves, each other, our?whanau?and our community by enabling faster contact tracing.?? 

Keep scanning QR codes to create a private digital diary of the places you visited. This will allow you to receive a location alert if you visit the same place around the same time as someone who later tests positive for COVID-19.? 

Here’s a reminder on how to scan a QR code:? 

• Open the app and tap ‘Record a visit’ if it isn't already selected 
• Point your phone at the QR code so it fits within the target area on the display of your phone. Your phone will?buzz,?and a tick will appear to show you have successfully scanned the code
• Tap ‘Finish’ to?close the screen. There is no need to sign out of a place with the app when you leave.? 

More information?on scanning can be found on the?Ministry of Health website. 

No cases in the community today

Despite no community cases today, we encourage to get tested if you are sick or?visited a location of interest during a relevant timeframe.?? 

An?extensive list of locations of interest?can be found?on the?Ministry of Health website locations of interest page.??? ? 

For up-to-date information on testing locations in metro Auckland, visit?the Auckland Regional Public Health Service website.? 

Information on where to get a test is also available at?Healthpoint.co.nz.

Extra measures around Papatoetoe High School

There are additional interim safety measures for the wider Papatoetoe High School community.? 

Papatoetoe High School will be closed until Monday 22 February – but continue to provide distance learning for all its students.? 

Any student or staff member returning on Monday will need to return a negative COVID-19 test.?? 

All close contacts of the two student cases at the school need to stay in self-isolation till 24 February and follow the advice given?by?the?Auckland Regional Public Health Service.? 

Siblings of all Papatoetoe High School students and children of the school’s staff should not attend school and early learning services until Monday, and all household members should work from home.?

Household members of all students and staff should be tested if they have not been tested since 15 February. 

Everyone in the Papatoetoe High School community is asked not to attend large gatherings until Monday.? 

The school will have a testing?centre?onsite on Saturday and Sunday.? 

All schools, aside from Papatoetoe High School, are open to students today.

Alert Level 2 in Auckland

If you live in Auckland, please follow the following public health guidelines for Alert Level 2:? 

• You can go to work and school, but you should follow public health measures and consider others around you 
• Gatherings and events of fewer than 100 people in each defined space can go ahead.??? 
• You?are required to?wear a face covering on public transport and on domestic flights.?? 
• You are encouraged to wear face coverings in situations where physical distancing is not possible, like in shops.? 
• It is important to track your movements using the COVID Tracer app and turn on the app’s Bluetooth function.?This helps with rapid contact tracing if it’s required.? 
• It’s important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.? 
• Students?can?move into new accommodation at Alert Level 2.? This includes hostels, halls of residence, and self-contained flats.? 
• Business premises can open for staff and customers provided they meet public health requirements and follow the following golden rules as set out on the?Unite Against COVID-19 website.?? 

Find out more about the Alert Level?2?requirements on the?Unite Against COVID-19 website.

Alert Level 1 for the rest of NZ

Alert Level 1 is not Alert Level ‘none’. Remember to: 

• Stay?at home if you’re sick - this?is especially important at Alert Level 1 because the risk of COVID-19 being spread in the community is much greater? 
• Keep up good handwashing practices 
• You must wear?a?face covering on public transport and on domestic flights?? 
• Keep tracking your movements using the COVID Tracer app and turn on the app’s Bluetooth function.? 

Find out more about Alert Level 1 on the?Unite Against COVID-19 website.