This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
Covid-19 Protection Framework –
Guidance for Local Government
While best efforts have been made to ensure this document’s accuracy, if you have
questions or issues of interpretation please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Local
Government Response Unit:
[email address]. This guidance is not legal
advice.
Contents
- Overview of the Covid-19 Protection Framework (pages 1 – 13)
- Cross council functions (pages 14 – 16)
- Territorial authority functions (page 17 – 19)
- Regional council functions (page 20)
- CDEM functions (page 20 – 26)
- Links to other central government guidance (page 27)
Introduction
On 18 October 2021, Cabinet agreed to shift our approach for managing the Delta variant of
COVID-19 from an elimination strategy to an approach based on minimisation and
protection, and to use the COVID-19 Protection Framework (the Framework) to give effect
to that new strategy. The new strategy reflects that a different approach is needed for Delta,
focusing on minimising the impact of Covid-19 being present in our communities.
What is the Covid-19 Protection Framework?
An overview of the Framework can be found here -
COVID-19-Protection-Framework-traffic-
lights-summary-table.pdf (covid19.govt.nz)
Key provisions in the Framework are set out in th
e COVID-19 Public Health Response
(Protection Framework) Order 2021 (under th
e COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020). These instruments are the authoritative source of information about the Framework.
To locate the rules which apply under particular traffic light colours, refer to the relevant
schedule of th
e COVID-19 Public Health Response (Protection Framework) Order 2021. This
sets out what clauses in the Order apply, and any modifications for the colour.
-
Schedule 5 - Green (not active)
-
Schedule 6 – Orange (rest of New Zealand)
-
Schedule 7 - Red (Northland, Auckland, and specified areas in North Island)
Schedule 3 an
d Schedule 8 relate to cross-boundary travel.
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
The Framework introduces a new flexible 3-level approach to managing COVID-19 in the
community:
• Green: limited community transmission and COVID-19 case numbers are at levels the
health system can manage.
• Orange: community transmission is increasing and putting pressure on the health
system.
• Red: the health system is facing an unsustainable number of hospitalisations and
action is needed to protect vulnerable people.
The Framework allows a greater level of freedom for vaccinated people than would be
possible under the Alert Level system, and so reduces the social and economic burden of
public health restrictions. It provides the tools, with public health measures and COVID-19
vaccine passes, to manage the higher public health risk to, and from, unvaccinated people.
The new Framework will provide more certainty for everyone. With high levels of
vaccination, the Framework enables people to respond to COVID-19 because they know
what to expect and what happens at each colour.
The Framework leverages the protections of vaccination by affording people greater
freedoms when they are fully vaccinated. This will reduce the spread of COVID-19 and help
to protect vulnerable populations.
The new approach is more targeted. Different elements will apply at different levels of
population coverage:
a) the levels of the Framework can be applied on a regional basis, and will depend on the
levels of vaccination, population at greater risk of health impacts, health system
capacities, and connection to the border in each region;
b) localised restrictions would apply to smaller areas or suburbs within regions where there
are particular high rates of spread, or spread within particularly vulnerable communities;
c) temporary closures of or within individual workplaces or facilities (using Section 70
notices), where the isolation or closure of a workforce or education service could
interrupt the spread; and
d) isolation of individuals, who are positive cases or close contacts of positive cases, will
remain central to the public health response.
Any decision to change colours will be made by Cabinet following public health advice.
Assessment will be made on the following factors:
• vaccination coverage including equity considerations;
• capacity of the health and disability system to manage COVID-19 cases, including
across public health, primary care, community services, and secondary care;
• testing, contact tracing and case management capacity;
• transmission of COVID-19 within the community, and how it is impacting on key
communities;
• impact on the economy, society and risk populations; and
• public and business considerations.
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
Public health settings
Mask, scan, pass.
While there are some additional routines to include in our days, lots of things we’re already
doing are important parts of the new Framework too.
At every setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework local government should continue to
promot
e general public health advice, including:
• Get vaccinated
• Wear a face covering, encouraged at every level.
• Keep track of where you have been, turn on Bluetooth in the COVID-19 tracer app and
scan QR codes. Manual record keeping should also be available at all locations.
• Wash and dry hands, cough into elbow, avoid touching your face
• Regularly disinfect surfaces - (handrails, elevator buttons etc.).
• Stay home if you’re sick, get a test and isolate at home until you get the result.
Record keeping
Record keeping involves collecting the details of all workers, customers, and visitors who
visit a premise. This allows for public health officials to effectively identify people who may
have been exposed to COVID-19.
Record keeping/scanning will be required at all levels. Businesses, locations or events have a
legal requirement to;
• make sure safe and secure systems and processes are in place so that everyone
working on or visiting the premises can scan in or provide their details for contact
tracing.
• keep contact tracing records for workers, contractors, customers, and volunteers, no
matter how long they are there for.
• keep a record of everyone aged 12 years or over who visits or works at the premises.
• Provide more than one way for people to record their visit, especially for people who
are not able to scan QR codes.
Put QR Code posters in accessible places. Additional details on recording keeping can be
f
ound here.
Vaccinations and PCBU obligations
The goal of the Framework is minimisation and protection. High uptake of vaccinations is
critical to achieving this goal. Being vaccinated is free, safe and the most effective way to
keep you, your whānau, business and customers safe. It’s a simple contribution to keeping
all New Zealanders safe from COVID-19.
In parallel with this guidance on how council functions and services can operate under the
Framework, Chief Executives (CEs) should also consider:
• As Persons Carrying out a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), CEs have an obligation
under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to maintain a workplace that is free
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
from harm, so far as reasonably practicable. As part of this, CEs need to undertake a
risk assessment across their organisations to determine what positions may be
required to be held by vaccinated people.
• Government is developing a simplified tool to help clarify what work should be
covered by vaccinated workers. It will help you assess when it is reasonable to
require vaccination for other work. This tool will be available from mid-December
2021.
Vaccine passes
Vaccine passes will be used to restrict access to certain events and services to only
vaccinated people and require relevant staff to be vaccinated. For some events, businesses
and services, vaccine passes will be required to proceed with fewer restrictions (e.g.
concerts, festivals), for others, it is prohibited to require vaccine passes (e.g. supermarkets,
petrol stations). The use of vaccine passes otherwise is up to the organiser/PCBU, but the
use of vaccine passes will enable certain businesses to continue to operate with fewer
restrictions (e.g. gyms, events, hospitality).
Where vaccine requirements are prohibited, a place/service/PCBU cannot limit the kind of
service provided to patrons based on their vaccination status but they can implement other
health and safety measures (e.g. making unvaccinated customers use the self-checkout
counters only).
Under all settings, most businesses and public places are open to vaccinated customers.
My Vaccine Pass is needed to prove you meet the vaccinations, or exemption, requirements.
Businesses, events, organisations and services can choose to have a vaccination entry
requirement for customers but it’s optional for many locations. Without vaccination
certificates, there are strict limits on some businesses, services and activities to keep
everyone safe, including possibly closing at Orange or Red.
At each traffic light level there are specified types of business or services which must make a
choice whether to require vaccine passes or not, and different occupancy limits will apply.
These businesses and services can change between requiring my Vaccine Pass and not
requiring it – but you must be clear to all staff and customers about this. You will also need
to to have systems and processes in place to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 as you
alternate (e.g., cleaning high-touch surfaces and ensuring good ventilation).
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
Vaccine passes in local government businesses and premises
This guide has been developed to assist local authorities to determine the appropriate
vaccine pass requirements for council-owned or managed businesses and premises, or
council-run events and gatherings.
As record keeping rules always apply, these are not individually referenced here. Face
coverings must be worn in areas open to the public in public facilities.
Step 1 - Is your premises/business or service a public facility?
Public facilities are indoor (or a mix of outdoor and indoor) premises owned or managed by
central or local government that are used for recreational, social, community, or cultural
activities or services and that are open for the public (including where fees are charged for
entry). Examples are zoos, libraries and museums. It excludes these facilities when they’re
being used exclusively for an event or gathering and it excludes recreation facilities that
require membership to enter.
• Yes – my premises is a public facility. There are no specified vaccine pass
requirements in the Order, go to step 8 for a suggested approach to assist in making
a decision on whether to use one. Capacity limits apply at red or orange, based on
1m distancing, and face covering rules apply on the parts of the premises open to the
public.
• Maybe – my premises would count as a public facility but there other
businesses/services in the same place (e.g. a café in a library). Go through steps 1 – 5
to determine the requirements for each separate part and then to step 6 for settings
on multi-purpose facilities and how to assess the requirements for the whole
premises.
• My premises is a public facility but it’s only being used for an event or gathering
arranged by someone else – go to step 9.
• No, my premises is not a public facility. Go to step 2.
Step 2 - Is your premises/business or service one of the following?
The following settings (referred to as “designated premises” are prohibited from requiring
proof of vaccination (either via My Vaccine Pass or other tool) as condition of entry, use or
access:
Education:
Use of vaccination requirements is prohibited at:
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
• All licensed early childhood education services and registered schools (i.e. all primary
and secondary schools, including private providers) for all children, students and their
parents, whanau or caregivers
• All school hostels
• All school transport services, for all students
• All OSCAR programmes
• Tertiary education organisations for secondary students to access their learning
Note: The use of vaccine requirements is not prohibited for other events that occur on
school grounds, e.g. fundraising fairs, concerts, community events where participants
extend beyond staff, parents, and learners; or third-party users of education facilities;
Public Transport:
Note that access to public transport is necessary to ensure access to life-preserving
services. Use of vaccination requirements is prohibited for:
•
All public transport (buses, trains, ferries, taxis/ubers, rental vehicles etc) apart
from domestic air travel and inter-island ferries
•
Note: Air travel includes small commercial operators (e.g. Sounds Air, Air
Chathams)
Housing:
Use of vaccination requirements to restrict access to housing is prohibited for all housing
and housing support services funded directly by, or under contract to, the following state
sector agencies:
• Kainga Ora – Homes and Communities
• Te Tuapapa Kura Kainga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
• Ara Poutama – Department of Corrections; and
• Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children
In addition to the above, there is a prohibition on vaccine requirements for premises used to
provide emergency housing.
Other life-preserving services:
• All supermarkets, dairies, pharmacies and petrol stations will be prohibited from
requiring proof of vaccination from customers as a condition of entry/access;
Health and disability services:
• The use of vaccination requirements will be prohibited for all people accessing
essential health and disability services. Examples of these include (but are not limited
to):
o
Primary care services
o
Specialist clinics
o
Laboratories and imaging services
o
Public and private hospitals
o
Maternity care
o
Hospice services
o
Oral healthcare services
o
Mental Health care services
o
Ambulances and emergency care
o
Aged residential care services
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
• If yes – requesting vaccine passes is prohibited. Where vaccine requirements
are prohibited, a place/service/PCBU cannot limit the kind of service provided
to patrons based on their vaccination status but they can implement other
health and safety measures (e.g. making unvaccinated customers use the self-
checkout counters only).
• If no – go to step 3.
• There is a mixture of premises used for different purposes. Go through steps
1 – 5 to determine the requirements for each separate part and then to step 6
for settings on multi-purpose facilities and how to assess the requirements for
the whole premises.
Step 3 – Are you organising or running an event or gathering?
Gathering—
(a) means people who are intermingling in a group but excludes people who remain at least
2 metres away from each other, so far as is reasonably practicable; and
(b) includes—
(i) a gathering to undertake voluntary or not-for-profit sporting, recreational, social, or
cultural activities:
(ii) a gathering to undertake community club activities (except activities that occur at
the same time and place as services provided under a club licence under section 21
of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012):
(iii) a faith-based gathering:
(iv) a funeral or tangihanga:
(v) a gathering held in a defined space or premises of a workplace (other than a vehicle
in use as part of a public transport service) that have been hired for the exclusive
use of the gathering by a person (other than the person who manages or controls
the defined space or premises); but
(c) excludes a gathering for the purpose of a business or service at—
(i) office workplaces; and
(ii) ordinary operations at retail; and
(iii) gyms; and
(iv) hearings at courts and tribunals; and (v) education entities at normal operations.
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
Event—
(a) means an activity organised by a business or service—
(i) that is held at—
(A) commercial premises or private premises (whether indoors or outdoors); or
(B) publicly owned premises hired for the purpose of the activity; or
(C) an outdoor area where a group of customers and clients is accompanied or
supervised by a worker providing services to that group (for example, a guided
tour); and
(ii) for which entry is controlled (whether through ticketing, fees, registration, or any
other means); and
(b) also means normal operations at cinemas, theatres, stadiums, concert venues,
conference venues, casinos, and private galleries; but
(c) excludes any activity at a private dwellinghouse.
• Yes, I am organising an event or gathering – you must decide which settings to
operate under as per the below table.
Category
Green
Orange
Red
Gatherings (e.g. private
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass – up to 100 people,
gatherings, weddings,
Allowed, no
Allowed, no limit.
based on 1m distancing
places of worship, marae)
limit
No Vaccine pass -
No Vaccine pass - – up to 25 people,
No Vaccine
allowed up to 50
based on 1m distancing
pass - allowed
people, based on
up to 100
1m distancing
people, based
on 1m
distancing
Events (including event
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass – Allowed, up to 100
businesses)
Allowed, no
Allowed, no limit
people, based on 1m distancing
limit
No Vaccine pass - Not permitted
No Vaccine
No Vaccine pass -
pass - Allowed, Not permitted
up to 100
people
• No, I am not organising an event or gathering – go to step 4
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
Step 4 – Are you operating a regulated business where you are required to
choose whether to use vaccine passes or to operate with more restrictions?
The following businesses and services are required in the Order to make a choice whether to
operate with vaccine passes or without, and have the corresponding settings apply.
(a) a gym (an indoors exercise facility for which access is limited to members)
(b) a close-proximity business or service - means a business or service to the extent
that it carries on activities that it cannot undertake without— (i) physical contact,
or close proximity, between people; or (ii) a worker being closer than 1 metre to
the client; and (b) includes a certified playgroup; but (c) excludes— (i)
professional and semi-professional sports; and (ii) specified social services.
Examples of close-proximity businesses and services are massage services and
hairdressing services.
(c) a food or drink business (a business or service that sells, offers, or provides food
or drink for consumption to customers or clients in a workplace, such as— (i) a
restaurant, cafe, bar, or club; and (ii) a soup kitchen or other place where food or
drink is provided without charge; and (b) includes a business or services that sells,
offers, or provides food or drink— (i) in a shopping mall; or (ii) as part of an
event.)
• Yes! It is one of these. Go to step 5.
• No, it’s none of these. Decisions on the use of vaccine passes are optional. Go to step
8 for a suggested approach to assist in making a decision on whether to use one.
• Not exactly, but my premises is in the same space as one of these. Go through steps
1 – 5 to determine the requirements for each separate part of the business and then
to step 6 for settings on multi-purpose facilities and how to assess the requirements
for the whole premises.
Step 5 - If you are operating a regulated business as set out in step 4, you
have to choose whether you will operate with a vaccine pass or not and the
corresponding settings will apply.
• Yes, I will operate by requiring a vaccine pass. (settings apply as per table below). See
step 7 for what to do.
• No, I will not operate by requiring a vaccine pass. (settings apply as per table below)
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
Category
Green
Orange
Red
Gyms
Vaccine pass
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass –
–
Open
Open with up to 100 people,
Open
based on 1m distancing
No Vaccine pass –
No Vaccine
No Vaccine pass –
pass –
Closed
Open with up
Closed
to 100
people,
based on 1m
distancing
Close-proximity
Vaccine pass
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass –
business or service
–
Open
Open
Open
No Vaccine pass –
No Vaccine pass –
No Vaccine
Closed
Closed
pass –
1m physical
distancing
required and
face
coverings for
staff required
Food and drink
Vaccine pass
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass –
businesses
–
No limits
up to 100 people, based on 1m
No limits
distancing, seated and separated
No Vaccine
No Vaccine pass –
No Vaccine pass –
pass –
Contactless only
Contactless only
up to 100
people,
based on 1m
distancing,
seated and
separated
Step 6 - My facility or premises is multi-purpose – how do I know what
settings apply?
The above process (steps 1 – 5) will need to be undertaken for each separate part.
Restrictions apply to the extent they’re carried out by each business or service.
An assessment will then need to be done – what’s the access like? Is there shared airflow?
Are there walls between spaces? Can the entrances be separate?
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
Different parts can only operate with different requirements if they can be separate with no
shared airflow – the stricter rules will apply if not.
• My facility can apply different restrictions for different parts – for each part using
vaccine passes go to step 7 on operating with vaccine passes.
• Parts of my premises aren’t allowed to operate with vaccine passes and we can’t
separate them out – everywhere must operate under the ‘no vaccine pass’ rules (see
step 5 for settings).
• Parts of my premise will be using vaccine passes and I can’t separate out the others
(e.g. a library with an open café in the middle) – the whole premises needs to
operate with a vaccine pass. See step 7 for how to use vaccine passes.
Step 7 - I will use a vaccine pass. What do I do?
Obligations on the individual
• My Vaccine Pass is an official record of your COVID-19 vaccination status for use in
Aotearoa New Zealand. Anyone aged 12 and over who has had two COVID-19
vaccinations administered in New Zealand, or who has been given a medical
exemption, can now request a My Vaccine Pass. Your My Vaccine Pass will include
your name, date of birth and a QR code. You can save this pass on a digital device,
like your phone, or print a physical copy.
• People under the age of 12 years and 3 months are not required to show proof of
vaccination.
• If a premises/business or service is operating with vaccine passes, a person must
show their vaccine pass to gain entry to the premises.
• Information about vaccine passes is available here
My Vaccine Pass | Unite against
COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz).
Obligations on the premises/business
• Display the sign saying you’re using vaccine passes.
• You must ensure only people with vaccine passes enter the premises, as far as
reasonably practicable.
• Download the Verifier app – information about the app is available here
NZ Pass
Verifier | Ministry of Health NZ
• Businesses that do require proof of vaccination status - My Vaccine Pass - should
verify each customer’s My Vaccine Pass using NZ Pass Verifier. This includes
businesses who choose to operate under My Vaccine Pass rules in order to be open
(such as hospitality).
• Businesses who have opted to require My Vaccine Pass, for example after having
completed a health and safety risk assessment, should scan each customer’s My
Vaccine Pass with NZ Pass Verifier.
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
• Technical information about the verifier app is available from the Ministry of Health
-
https://nzcp.covid19.health.nz/
www.github.com/minhealthnz
• Provided that sequential cohorts are managed so that no intermingling of groups
occurs, and rooms are ventilated and high-touch surfaces cleaned between cohorts,
your business or service may switch between vaccinated and unvaccinated settings.
You should have clear processes to manage this. What settings you are operating
under must be made clear to all involved (staff and attendees).
• Any business requiring customers to hold a valid Vaccine Pass must also require all
workers to be vaccinated. Workers covered by the My Vaccine Pass mandate need to
have their first dose by 3 December and be fully vaccinated by 17 January 2022. This
should includes staff in workplaces where the public are required to use the My
Vaccine Pass. This provides confidence to the customers who are vaccinated and
means businesses will be less likely to be affected by cases.
Other obligations
• Capacity limits (based on 1m distancing) for public facilities still apply at red and
orange even when using vaccine passes. Note this does not mean 1m physically
distancing is legally required within the facility, but that the capacity is determined by
how many people can fit if they are all 1m distanced apart.
Step 8 – I’m not required to make a decision on whether to use a vaccine
pass, but if I want to consider it, what should I be considering as part of my
decision?
If the Order does not name you as regulated business or service that needs to decide
between requiring a vaccine pass or using alternative rules, you may still decide to require a
vaccine pass from those accessing your services. This will be an organisational decision for
you, rather than something that is mandated by the Order.
We refer local authorities to guidance on the Public Service Commission website on using
vaccine passes -
Public Service workforce guidance for the COVID-19 Protection Framework |
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission. Local authorities can and should seek their own legal advice if they need help with this
assessment.
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This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
• Yes - my assessment has determined I should use a vaccine pass for my
premises– go to step 7 on using vaccine passes. Capacity limits (based on 1m
distancing) for public facilities still apply at red and orange even when using
vaccine passes. Note this does not mean 1m physically distancing is legally
required within the facility, but that the capacity is determined by how many
people can fit if they are all 1m distanced apart. At orange and red, face
coverings are required in the parts of premises owned by local government
that are open to the public.
• No, I will not be using a vaccine pass – capacity limits for public facilities apply
at red and orange (based on 1m distancing). Note this does not mean 1m
physically distancing is legally required within the facility, but that the
capacity is determined by how many people can fit if they are all 1m
distanced apart. At orange and red, face coverings are required in the parts of
premises owned by local government that are open to the public.
Step 9 - My premises is being hired out for an event or gathering – what do I
need to do?
Decisions on which settings to operate events or gatherings are the decision for the
organiser – but if you are the person in control of the premises that has been hired for the
event or gathering, you must ensure that they will be operating within either the vaccine
pass or the non-vaccine pass settings as outlined below.
Category
Green
Orange
Red
Gatherings (e.g. private
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass – up to 100 people,
gatherings, weddings,
Allowed, no limit
Allowed, no limit.
based on 1m distancing
places of worship,
No Vaccine pass -
No Vaccine pass -
No Vaccine pass - – up to 25 people,
marae)
allowed up to 100
allowed up to 50
based on 1m distancing
people, based on
people, based on
1m distancing
1m distancing
Events (including event
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass –
Vaccine pass – Allowed, up to 100
businesses)
Allowed, no limit
Allowed, no limit
people, based on 1m distancing
No Vaccine pass -
No Vaccine pass - Not permitted
Allowed, up to
No Vaccine pass -
100 people
Not permitted
Page 13 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CROSS-COUNCIL FUNCTIONS
Overview
Action needed to protect health system –
Increasing community transmission with increasing COVID-19 across New Zealand, including
system facing unsustainable number of
pressure on health system. Whole of health system sporadic imported cases. Limited community
hospitalisations. Action needed to protect
is focusing resources but can manage – primary
transmission. COVID-19 hospitalisations are at a
at-risk populations
care, public health, and hospitals. Increasing risk to manageable level. Whole of health system is
at risk populations.
ready to respond – primary care, public health,
and hospitals.
Guidance for
No Vaccine Pass
No Vaccine Pass
No Vaccine Pass
holding council
meetings
Open with capacity limits based on 1m
Open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing. No capacity limits
distancing.
A risk-assessment should be completed to
A risk-assessment should be completed to
Note that
A risk-assessment should be completed to
determine whether vaccination is required for staff determine whether vaccination is required for
council
determine whether vaccination is required
(excluding elected members).
staff (excluding elected members).
chambers may
for staff (this will exclude elected members).
use vaccine
Changes made under modification orders linked to
passes, but the
Changes made under modification orders
the Epidemic Notice allow for Council meetings to
Changes made under modification orders linked
use of vaccine
linked to the Epidemic Notice allow for
be conducted remotely. The current Epidemic
to the Epidemic Notice allow for Council
passes will not
Council meetings to be conducted remotely.
Preparedness notice was renewed on 8 September meetings to be conducted remotely. The
affect capacity.
The current Epidemic Preparedness notice
2021 and will last three months.
current Epidemic Preparedness notice was
was renewed on 8 September 2021 and will
renewed on 8 September 2021 and will last
last three months.
Vaccine Pass
three months.
Vaccine Pass
Open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing.
Vaccine Pass
Page 14 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Note that a
Open with capacity limits based on 1m
Only vaccinated staff and vaccinated elected
Open with capacity limits based on 1m
suggested
distancing.
members present. Unvaccinated staff or elected
distancing.
approach on
members should be attending remotely.
making a
Only vaccinated staff and vaccinated elected
Only vaccinated staff and vaccinated elected
decision to
members present. Unvaccinated staff or
members present. Unvaccinated staff or elected
whether to use
elected members should be attending
members should be attending remotely.
vaccine passes
remotely.
is included in
the guidance
above.
Council offices
Workplaces are open with working from
Open
Open.
home if appropriate to workplace
Property and
Open
Open
Open
facilities
management
Building and
Open
Open
Open
construction
Page 15 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
RMA plan-
Workplaces are open with working from
Public health measures apply when interacting
Public health measures apply when interacting
making and
home if appropriate to workplace Public
with members of the public e.g. use of face
with members of the public e.g. use of face
community
health measures apply when interacting with coverings, record keeping, hygiene
coverings, record keeping, hygiene
consultation
members of the public e.g. use of face
coverings, record keeping, hygiene
Consenting and
Working remotely is encouraged (where
Public health measures apply when interacting
Public health measures apply when interacting
CME functions
possible)
with members of the public e.g. use of face
with members of the public e.g. use of face
coverings, record keeping, hygiene.
coverings, record keeping, hygiene.
Public health measures apply when
interacting with members of the public e.g.
use of face coverings, record keeping,
hygiene.
Page 16 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
TERRITORIAL AUTHORITY FUNCTIONS
Red
Orange
Green
Overview
Action needed to protect
Increasing community transmission with increasing COVID-19 across New Zealand, including
health system – system facing
pressure on health system. Whole of health system sporadic imported cases. Limited community
unsustainable number of
is focusing resources but can manage – primary
transmission. COVID-19 hospitalisations are at a
hospitalisations. Action
care, public health, and hospitals. Increasing risk to manageable level. Whole of health system is
needed to protect at-risk
at risk populations
ready to respond – primary care, public health,
populations
and hospitals
Public facilities
Open with capacity limits
Open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing
Open
based on 1m distancing
Museums
Face coverings mandatory in public areas
Face coverings encouraged indoors
Face coverings mandatory in
(pools excluded)
(pools excluded)
Libraries
public areas(pools excluded)
Pools
Record keeping rule applies
Record keeping rule applies
Record keeping rule applies
Community halls
Regulatory and licensing
Workplaces are open with
Public health measures apply when interacting
Public health measures apply when interacting
working from home if
with members of the public e.g. use of face
with members of the public e.g. use of face
Animal services
appropriate to workplace.
coverings, record keeping
coverings, record keeping
Noise control
Public health measures apply
when interacting with
Consenting functions
members of the public e.g.
Environmental health
use of face coverings, record
keeping.
Page 17 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Infrastructure
Normal operations – general
Normal operations – general health and safety
Normal operations – general health and safety
health and safety measures
measures apply
measures apply
Operation and maintenance of apply
water services
Roading/highways
Solid waste (not including
transfer stations)
Outdoor services
Normal operations unless
Normal operations unless being hired for an event
Normal operations unless being hired for an
being hired for an event or
or gathering.
event or gathering.
Cemeteries/crematoria
gathering.
Public toilets
Playgrounds, parks, cycle
parks, skate parks
MBIE guidance on
accommodation services can
Walking/mountain bike trails
be found here
Sports field and athletic
MBIE guidance on accommodation services can be
facilities
https://www.business.govt. found here
Campgrounds and holiday
nz/covid-19/covid-19-
https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/covid-
parks
protection-framework
19-protection-framework
Jetties and boat ramps
Parking services
Page 18 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Community services
Workplaces are open with
Public health measures apply when interacting
Public health measures apply when interacting
working from home if
with members of the public
with members of the public
Social housing owned by the
appropriate to workplace.
council
Public health measures apply
Community and social services when interacting with
members of the public
Community development
Volunteer programmes
Gyms, rec centres and other
Record keeping rule applies.
Record keeping rule applies.
Record keeping rule applies.
membership-based
businesses or services (e.g
With vaccine pass
With vaccine pass
With vaccine pass
dance or martial arts studios)
Up to 100 people, based on
No limits. All staff must be vaccinated.
No limits. All staff must be vaccinated.
1m physical distancing. All
staff must be vaccinated.
Without vaccine pass
Without vaccine pass
Cannot open
Up to 100 people, based on 1m physical
Without vaccine pass
distancing
Cannot open
Non customer-facing
Workplaces are open with
Open
Open
workplaces
working from home if
appropriate to workplace.
Page 19 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
REGIONAL AUTHORITY FUNCTIONS
Public Transport
Record keeping rule applies
Record keeping rule applies
Record keeping rule applies
Face coverings mandatory
Face coverings mandatory
Face coverings mandatory
Vaccine pass prohibited
Vaccine pass prohibited
Vaccine pass prohibited
Natural Hazard event
Normal operations
Normal operations
Normal operations
monitoring, response and
recovery
Education programmes
Link to full guidance on our
Link to full guidance on our website
Link to full guidance on our website
website
CDEM ACTIVITY
General
Workplaces are open with working from
Open
Open.
home if appropriate to workplace
In an emergency, acute lifesaving activity including
In an emergency, acute lifesaving activity
In an emergency, acute lifesaving activity
response coordination will have priority over
including response coordination will have
including response coordination will have
COVID-19 public health risks.
priority over COVID-19 public health risks.
priority over COVID-19 public health risks.
Page 20 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
In a significant CDEM emergency such as
In a significant CDEM emergency such as post-
In a significant CDEM emergency such as post-
post-tsunami or post-earthquake damage to
tsunami or post-earthquake damage to physical
tsunami or post-earthquake damage to physical
physical infrastructure and communication
infrastructure and communication networks may
infrastructure and communication networks
networks may make it difficult or impossible
make it difficult or impossible to implement other
may make it difficult or impossible to
to implement other controls such as physical controls such as physical distancing or remote
implement other controls such as physical
distancing or remote working.
working.
distancing or remote working.
CDEM Group
My COVID App
QR Code scanning supported My COVID App
QR Code scanning supported by
My COVID App
QR Code scanning supported by
ECC and Local
by record keeping and rostering.
record keeping and rostering.
record keeping and rostering
EOCs
Remote working /
virtual coordination
Consider whether some or all functions can be
The DHB, via its Public Health Unit, should be
These
centres should be used where possible or
undertaken via remote working /
virtual
engaged early to provide a
Public Health Risk
requirements
for functions/sub-functions that can do so.
coordination centres
Assessment for the incident, including response
should be
locations
shared with
Even in physical coordination centres
When physically deployed staff should be
support
implement virtual briefings and planning
cohorted by function and shift as well as location.
Increase ventilation in the coordination centre
agencies
meetings where possible to avoid bringing
Consider how shift-changeovers can be completed
as far as possible. Consider use of temporary
large numbers of people together.
remotely.
shelters/marquees/awnings to provide
sheltered outdoor briefing spaces
The DHB, via its Public Health Unit, should be Even in physical coordination centres consider
engaged early to provide a
Public Health
implementing virtual briefings and planning
All staff inc volunteers should complete a
daily
Risk Assessment for the incident, including
meetings where possible to avoid bringing large
COVID-19 health declaration.
response locations
numbers of people together.
When physically deployed staff should be
The DHB, via its Public Health Unit, should be
cohorted by function and shift as well as
engaged early to provide a
Public Health Risk
location. Consider how shift-changeovers
Assessment for the incident, including response
can be completed remotely.
locations
Page 21 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Staff to wear face coverings
Staff to wear face coverings
Increase ventilation in the coordination
Increase ventilation in the coordination centre as
centre as far as possible. Consider use of
far as possible. Consider use of temporary
temporary shelters/marquees/awnings to
shelters/marquees/awnings to provide sheltered
provide sheltered outdoor briefing spaces
outdoor briefing space
Routine saliva-based PCR asymptomatic
All staff inc volunteers should complete a
daily
surveillance (www.salivatesting.co.nz) or
COVID-19 health declaration.
point of care Rapid Antigen Testing should
be considered for key-staff and at-risk staff.
Where access to lab-based PCR testing is
compromised consider moving to daily Rapid
Antigen Testing.
All staff inc volunteers should complete a
daily COVID-19 health declaration.
Response field
Staff should be cohorted by location.
Staff should be cohorted. Consider how shift-
Normal Operations apply
operations
Consider how shift-changeovers can be
changeovers can be completed remotely.
including Civil
completed remotely.
All staff inc volunteers should complete a
daily
Defence
Do not mix field, Civil Defence (Welfare) Centre
COVID-19 health declaration.
(Welfare)
Do not mix field, Civil Defence (Welfare)
and coordination centre staff implement virtual
Centres
Centre and coordination centre staff
briefings
implement virtual briefings
Staff to wear face coverings
Staff to wear face coverings
All staff inc volunteers should complete a
daily
COVID-19 health declaration.
Page 22 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Vaccination for
A risk-assessment should be completed to
A risk-assessment should be completed to
A risk-assessment should be completed to
staff, support
determine whether vaccination is required
determine whether vaccination is required across
determine whether vaccination is required
agencies and
across CDEM settings such as Coordination
Coordination Centre, Field Operations and
across Coordination Centre, Field Operations
managed
Centres, Field Operations and Emergency
Emergency Welfare services staff including
and Emergency Welfare services staff including
volunteers
Welfare services staff including volunteers.
volunteers.
volunteers.
Any risk-assessment should be cognisant of
A precautionary approach and the potential for the A precautionary approach and the potential for
the difficulty in implementing and
CPF level to escalate, either as a result of the
the CPF level to escalate, either as a result of
maintaining other COVID-19 control
emergency or other factors, should be considered.
the emergency or other factors, should be
measures in an emergency.
considered.
The risk assessment should recognise that
COVID-19 vaccination is a two-dose regime,
at least three weeks apart and if used as a
control must be implemented prior to the
event.
Staff
Consider routine asymptomatic surveillance Asymptomatic surveillance testing not
Asymptomatic surveillance testing not
surveillance and for staff (twice weekly Monday and
recommended.
recommended.
testing
Wednesday saliva-based PCR and / or Rapid
Antigen Testing).
Work with your DHB to
ensure critical response
Work with your DHB to
ensure critical response
staff have priority access to symptomatic
staff have priority access to symptomatic
Work with your DHB to
ensure critical
community PCR testing
community PCR testing
response staff have priority access to
symptomatic community PCR testing
People do not need to show proof of vaccination status when accessing essential services including food banks, housing and housing support services.
This includes
Civil Defence (Welfare) Centres and Civil Defence Welfare Emergency Accommodation.
Page 23 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Asking whether people are willing to confirm their vaccine status and whether they have been isolating or quarantining at home could considered an additional tool for
risk management but cannot be used to deny service or provide a different level of service
CDEM
General
General
General
coordinated
emergency
Record keeping/scanning required
Record keeping/scanning required
Record keeping/scanning required
welfare services Activate
additional facilities where possible Activate
additional facilities where possible to
Activate
additional facilities where possible to
to reduce density.
reduce density.
reduce density.
Consider allocating at least one Civil
Consider allocating at least one Civil Defence
Consider allocating at least one Civil Defence
Defence Welfare Centre to COVID-19
Welfare Centre to COVID-19 positive cases
Welfare Centre to COVID-19 positive cases
positive cases
For staff, including volunteers
For staff, including volunteers
For staff, including volunteers
A risk assessment for vaccination should be
A risk assessment for vaccination should be
A risk assessment for vaccination should be
undertaken.
undertaken.
undertaken.
Face coverings to be worn
Face coverings to be worn
Face coverings to be worn
All staff inc volunteers should complete a
daily
All staff inc volunteers should complete a
daily
All staff inc volunteers should complete a
COVID-19 health declaration.
COVID-19 health declaration.
daily COVID-19 health declaration.
For the public
For the public
For the public
Face coverings encouraged
Face coverings encouraged
Face coverings strongly recommended
On reception or in the field COVID-19 health
declaration to identify symptomatic/case
contacts/those isolating or quarantine at home
Page 24 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
On reception or in the field COVID-19
Consider the ability to manage separately or
On reception or in the field undertake a
health declaration to identify
stream low-risk and high-risk COVID-19 exposure
COVID-19 health declaration to identify
symptomatic/case contacts/those isolating
symptomatic/case contacts/those isolating or
or quarantine at home
quarantine at home.
Consider the ability to manage separately or
Consider the ability to manage separately or
stream low-risk and high-risk COVID-19
stream low-risk and high-risk COVID-19
exposure
exposure
CEG and Joint
No Vaccine Pass
No Vaccine Pass
No Vaccine Pass
Committee
meetings
Open with capacity limits based on 1m
Open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing. No capacity limits
distancing.
A risk-assessment should be completed to
A risk-assessment should be completed to
A risk-assessment should be completed to
determine whether vaccination is required for staff determine whether vaccination is required for
Note that a
determine whether vaccination is required
(excluding elected members).
staff (excluding elected members).
suggested
for staff (this will exclude elected members).
approach on
Changes made under modification orders linked to
making a
Changes made under modification orders
the Epidemic Notice allow for Council meetings to
Changes made under modification orders linked
decision to
linked to the Epidemic Notice allow for
be conducted remotely. The current Epidemic
to the Epidemic Notice allow for Council
whether to use
Council meetings to be conducted remotely.
Preparedness notice was renewed on 8 September meetings to be conducted remotely. The
vaccine passes
The current Epidemic Preparedness notice
2021 and will last three months.
current Epidemic Preparedness notice was
is included in
was renewed on 8 September 2021 and will
renewed on 8 September 2021 and will last
the guidance
last three months.
three months.
above.
Vaccine Pass
Vaccine Pass
Page 25 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING THROUGH COVID PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Open with capacity limits based on 1m
Vaccine Pass
Open with capacity limits based on 1m
distancing.
distancing.
Open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing.
Only vaccinated staff and vaccinated elected
Only vaccinated staff and vaccinated elected
members present. Unvaccinated staff or
Only vaccinated staff and vaccinated elected
members present. Unvaccinated staff or elected
elected members should be attending
members present. Unvaccinated staff or elected
members should be attending remotely.
remotely.
members should be attending remotely.
National,
National travel under the CPF is permitted (noting that there is a transition period for Auckland region requires vaccine certificate or negative PCR test
regional and
from 15 December 2021 to 17 January 2022)
local meetings,
working
Manage as public event – refer to settings
Manage as public event – refer to settings on
Manage as public event – refer to settings on page
groups, training on page 8.
page 8.
8.
and exercising
All participants should complete a
daily
All participants should complete a
daily COVID-19 If vaccination certificates are NOT used up to 100
COVID-19 health declaration.
health declaration.
people, based on 1m distancing, seated and
separated.
Page 26 of 27
This guidance is current as of 1 December 2021
Other Guidance on the COVID-19 Protection Framework
Below is a list of some guidance on the COVID-19 Protection Framework that has been created by other agencies and organisations.
Government Agency
Guidance information
Ministry of Business, Innovation and
•
COVID-19 Protection Framework — business.govt.nz
Employment
•
Close contact services — business.govt.nz
Ministry of Primary Industries
•
Operating under the COVID-19 Protection Framework: Guidance for
primary sector businesses | COVID-19 (coronavirus) information and
advice | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)
Public Service Commission
•
COVID-19 Public Sector Workforce Guidelines | Te Kawa Mataaho Public
Service Commission
•
Public Service workforce guidance for the COVID-19 Protection
Framework | Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport
•
COVID-19 transport information | Ministry of Transport
•
Microsoft Word - MOT CPF Guidance for Transport Operators 26 Nov 21
- DRAFT WEBSITE VERSION (002).docx
Unite against COVID-19
•
Care in the community | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
Work & Income
•
COVID-19 - Work and Income
Worksafe
•
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) | WorkSafe
Page 27 of 27
