Covid-19 Local Government Response Unit Update – Thursday 2 December 2021
Local Government Response Unit main page
COVID-19 Protection Framework guidance for local government
Feedback from the sector so far has been compiled into a brief list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (PDF, 527KB). This is available here for reference and will be updated over time.
Following the recently signed Health Order, we have updated the COVID-19 Protection Framework guidance for local government (PDF, 445KB). This guidance is available and has been created to help the implementation of the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
We have also attached the PowerPoint used for today’s webinar hosted by Taituarā (PDF, 1.2MB), which discussed this guidance. Further questions that were raised in this webinar will be answered in tomorrow’s update email.
This guidance has been created in collaboration with a group of chief executives on creating guidance for the implementation of the COVID-19 Protection Framework.
Thank you for your ongoing patience and support through this fast moving and challenging legislative environment.
If you have feedback on the guidance, please sent it through the LGCGcovid19response@dia.govt.nz inbox.
Update for using Rapid Antigen Testing
The Ministry of Health is now moving to Phase 2 of the rapid antigen testing (RAT) rollout and businesses wishing to use RATs in their workplaces can source approved kits directly from authorised suppliers.
Further information is available below, and at the following link: Rapid antigen testing | Ministry of Health NZ.
Information on current cases, COVID-19 test sites and economic support
There are 172 new cases of Covid-19 in the Delta community outbreak. The majority of the new cases are in Auckland (142), with others in Northland (2), Waikato (15), Bay of Plenty (one) and 2 in the Lakes (Rotorua and Taupō).
There were 39,617 first and second vaccine doses administered yesterday, made up 7,856 first doses and 14,254 second doses. To date, 93% of eligible people in New Zealand have had their first dose and 86% are fully vaccinated.
Available testing sites can be found on the Ministry of Health website: Available testing sites.
Locations of interest can be found at Locations of Interest. This is being updated as soon as information is available.
Economic assistance is available for those impacted by the lockdown, more information available on the COVID-19 website, including details of the Business Boost package.
Vaccinating pharmacies can now print vaccine passes
Over 400 COVID vaccinating pharmacies across the motu are now participating in generating vaccine passes for their customers as of last Friday, here is a list: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-vaccination/?primaryBranch=pharmacy.
To get your pass, head to a participating chemist with your NHI number (don’t worry if you don’t have it). No further formal ID is required. They will ask you to confirm your full name, date of birth and physical address.
Pharmacy staff will generate the vaccine pass directly from the COVID Immunisation Register, and will email the pass to you or print it out.
Ministry of Transport will temporarily service Land Transport Act notices electronically
Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport is working on some guidance for enforcement bodies regarding the temporary ability to service Land Transport Act notices electronically. These have come about as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This guidance will be completed within the next few days. Once complete, we will circulate it through an update.
Please share with us your approaches towards the COVID-19 Protection Framework
We would like to know how councils are implementing the COVID-19 Protection Framework in their organisations and communities. This will help us to collate information, and build a resource that will assist consistency of application across the sector (shared approach) and inform our ongoing guidance development.
If you would like to share your council’s thinking and application of the new protection framework, please email them to us at LGCGcovid19response@dia.govt.nz.
