The COVID-19 Protection Framework and the Workplace

New Zealand’s COVID-19 Protection Framework (or, the ‘traffic lights’) came into effect on 3 December 2021, replacing the Alert Level System we have lived under since COVID-19 first appeared in New Zealand in early 2020. The Framework enables businesses to open as the country moves on from an ‘elimination’ strategy to living with COVID-19 in a highly vaccinated population. In this article, we have curated a number of links to information on the Traffic Lights system and things you need to consider as you implement it for your workplace.

Traffic Lights explained

The Traffic Lights Framework is comprised of three phases or ‘lights’: Green, Orange, and Red. Each light has a set of restrictions, from the most restricted Red to the least restricted Green. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has provided detailed information on the freedoms and restrictions that apply to different types of businesses, industries, and venues. You should read these carefully to ascertain what requirements affect your business under each Traffic Light.

The level of restrictions which apply to your business under each traffic light colour will depend on whether vaccine mandates must apply to your workforce or, where not mandated, whether you are permitted to choose to apply the My Vaccine Pass system.

Vaccine mandates

Vaccine mandates currently apply to the following workforces:

·      Health - registered (e.g. nurses, doctors, allied health), unregistered (e.g. community support workers, healthcare assistants), and those working with them (e.g. administration, reception or management)

·      Education – all workers on public or private school grounds when children are present.

·      Frontline COVID response – MIQ workers and high-risk border workers and MIQ 

·      Corrections – all staff working in prisons

The mandates are not necessarily blanketed across all of these job-types however. The requirements and responsibilities of the actual job a person is employed to do must be consider. While there is some guidance and flowcharts provided by various government agencies, the best way to work out what applies to you is to read the actual Health Act Orders made under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. In particular, check the fine print in Schedule 2, as this lists both the covered positions and the things those positions must be doing to fall under a mandate. 

Mandates for additional workforces are expected to come into effect soon, including for Police and NZ Defence Force staff. Employers need to ensure that they keep abreast of the latest requirements for their business or industry.

My Vaccine Pass

The My Vaccine Pass system allows businesses to operate with less restrictions for vaccinated customers or patrons. This requires that your employees are vaccinated and only people with vaccination certificates can access your business as customers, patrons, or suppliers. Each business needs to think through whether the system is right for them, and how they will ensure it is appropriately implemented and managed.

No vaccine restrictions permitted

Certain businesses or sectors are not permitted to restrict access to unvaccinated customers, and are therefore not able to use the My Vaccine Pass system to restrict access to their place of business:

·      Health and disability services – include primary health (GP) practices, pharmacies, public hospitals, and other health providers

·      Supermarkets, dairies, and convenience stores

·      Petrol stations

·      Schools

·      Public transport

·      Housing and related support services

These sectors are considered ‘essential’ by the government and therefore access is not restricted. However, public health protocols will be in place, and you will need to comply with these when accessing these locations. This may include wearing a face mask, scanning or signing in, and using hand sanitiser prior to entry.

Implementing the Framework in my business

There is a lot to think about when implementing the COVID-19 Protection Framework for your business. One size certainly does not fit all. At Avodah HR, we specialise in fit-for-purpose HR support and advice. If you need help working out what you need to do to implement the Traffic Lights in your business, get in touch for a free, confidential discussion.

If you want to discuss developing your transition plan with an experienced HR professional, contact us below.