NZ Update – PM declares Covid-19 Alert Level 3, move to Level 4 in 48 hours
As of 1:40 today, 23 March, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern placed New Zealand on Covid-19 Alert Level 3. She also said that New Zealand will progress to Alert Level 4 after 48 hours.
LEVEL 1 – Where Covid-19 is here but contained.
A preparation phase. Measures include border measures, contact tracing, limits on mass gatherings.
LEVEL 2 – Where the disease is contained but risks are going.
Move to reduce contact. Measures include further border measures. Cancel events. Ask people to work remotely where possible and cancel the travel.
- Entry border measures maximised
- Further restrictions on mass gatherings
- Physical distancing on public transport (e.g. leave the seat next to you empty if you can)
- Limit non-essential travel around New Zealand
- Employers start alternative ways of working if possible (e.g. remote working, shift-based working, physical distancing within the workplace, staggering meal breaks, flexible leave arrangements)
- Business continuity plans activated
- High-risk people advised to remain at home (e.g. those over 70 or those with other existing medical conditions)
LEVEL 3 – Where the disease is increasingly difficult to contain.
Step things up again. Close public venues. Ask non-essential businesses to close.
Here are the details on ALERT LEVEL 3
Risk Assessment
- Community transmission occurring OR
- Multiple clusters break out
Range of Measures (can be applied locally or nationally)
- Travel in areas with clusters or community transmission limited
- Affected educational facilities closed
- Mass gatherings cancelled
- Public venues closed (e.g. libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, amusement parks)
- Alternative ways of working required and some non-essential businesses should close
- Non face-to-face primary care consultations
- Non acute (elective) services and procedures in hospitals deferred and healthcare staff reprioritised
LEVEL 4 – Where we have sustained transmission.
Eliminate contact altogether. Maintain essential services but ask everyone to stay at home until Covid-19 is under control.
The chart below from the NZ government’s Covid-19 website explains further.
CLICK on the image to view a larger version.
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