In response to the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday about Alert Level 1 and the Golden Rules for everyone to follow, we are revising our Alert Level 2 health and safety guidance and will disseminate the Alert Level 1 (slimmed down) version as soon as possible after Monday’s announcement of Cabinet’s decision.

 From what we know now, we believe the following are the key changes for schools at Alert Level 1:

· there are no specific public health requirements.

· there are no restrictions on personal movement at so all students, children and staff continue to be safe to go to school / early learning, and all students must attend school.

· you are no longer required to keep a contact tracing register but will continue with the usual practice of having a visitor and an attendance register (and will need to work with local health authorities to identify close contacts, should there be a case connected with the school).

· physical distancing is not a requirement but is encouraged when you are around people you don’t know.

· there are no restrictions on numbers at gatherings or on physical activities including cultural and sporting activities, practices and events.

There are key public health measures (Golden Rules) for everyone in New Zealand to follow. For schools and early learning services this means:

· If people are sick, they should stay home (phone Healthline or their GP and get tested if they have cold or flu symptoms).

· Continue to regularly wash and dry hands, sneeze and cough into elbows.

· Soap, water and the ability to dry hands should be provided in bathrooms.

· Regularly disinfect shared surfaces.

· Support contact tracing efforts by displaying QR Code posters for the NZ COVID Tracer App.

· Stringent self-isolation of those who display relevant symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, or have been overseas in the last 14 days – Ministry of Health information for self-isolation.

At all levels, upon advice from the local medical officer of health, any educational facilities connected to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 must close on an individual or group basis for 72 hours to allow contact tracing, and then potentially for a further 14 days.

 So for the most part, Alert Level 1 is very much business as usual for you and good hygiene practices and people who are unwell staying away remain a priority.  

The Department of Internal Affairs with Netsafe and the Office of Film and Literature Classification is about to launch a ‘Keep it real online’ campaign. The campaign will support parents and caregivers to reduce the risks of online harm such as cyber-bullying, inappropriate content, pornography and grooming. 

 Parents and caregivers can find information including tips on how to have conversations with their kids at www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz.

 TV, radio and print ads will commence from Monday 8 June and will run through to the end of July. Printed and online adverts will be produced in English, Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Mandarin and Hindi.