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Hi everyone, it will be great to have a chunk of the industry back up and operating tomorrow.  Today's e-letter covers off the rules for operating across the Level 4/Level 3 borders and steps that should be implemented for those of you returning to work tomorrow.

Sorry it is another wordy one, but again there is a lot to cover off. I've included a bit of a Q&A at the bottom as sometimes that is easier to scan through that as a re-cap of what is included in here.  As always, come back to me if there is something you would like clarified.


CROSSING THE BORDER

This is the first time there has been a L4/L3 border so the rules are different.  Travel across the border will be much tighter, but with restricted personal movement on both sides of the border, the queues should be much shorter. 

Here are a few cross border points you should be aware of:

  1. There are no restrictions on freight movement (beyond the existing supply chain issues that continue to frustrate us).  Movement of freight is unrestricted at all Alert Levels.
  2. Businesses operating at Level 4 can bring staff in from Level 3 areas to work, but you should have a system in place to minimise the amount of contact they have with people in Level 4 - see the checklist below under Level 3 operations.
  3. To speed up the border crossing it would be best to apply for an exemption for these staff.  The application process seems to be moving smoothly with over 5000 processed to date.  (Please note that if they come back seeking further clarification, this will add 2-3 days to the approval process).
  4. If Northland drops to Level 3 on Friday there will be borders set on both sides of Auckland so you should take this into account when applying for your exemptions.
  5. To apply for an exemption please click here and login

AUCKLAND/NORTHLAND STILL OPERATING AT LEVEL 4
Businesses operating in Auckland and Northland under Alert Level 4 must continue to operate in exactly the same way as they have been - as an essential service only.  You cannot produce work and send to businesses that are now able to open and operate in Level 3.  If you have product that is already made and packed, you can freight it to those companies, but you cannot manufacture, manipulate or pack any product before freighting.  This may mean that some businesses in Level 3 regions cannot operate due to a lack of supply. The Government understand this but are holding firm to minimising the number of people that are in at a workplace.

OPERATING AT LEVEL 3
For those of you fortunate enough to be moving into Level 3 this week, you are able to open your business and produce all work, so long as you can do so safely.

However, remember that Level 3 still requires travel to be minimised and those that can work from home should continue to do so.  For those travelling to work, they should carry a letter from the company that verifies their requirement to attend work as they can still be challenged when out.  Please note that staff that live in Level 4 cannot come to work in a Level 3 area unless you are an essential service.

You will need to have safety protocols in place and we are happy to provide these to you if you have not already requested them.  Click here to download a Return to Work form that you should have each of your staff complete on their return, along with an Induction Checklist which will explain the protocols you have in place.   The balance of the documents can be accessed by emailing pam.seymour@printnz.co.nz

Because Delta is much more easily transmitted, you want to take every precaution to reduce the ability for the disease to spread in your workplace.  When re-opening you should consider the following transmission pathway risks:
  1. How do your staff travel to and from work?  Who with? Should they wear a mask? Is it the same both ways?
  2. How do they clock in/clock out?  Is this kept sanitised?  Do staff enter and exit through the same doors?
  3. Who is in their work bubble?  Can they maintain a 2 metre physical distance?  Should they wear masks?
  4. How are breaks managed so that areas are kept sanitised and distance maintained?
  5. Who else will they come into contact with while at work?  Contractors?  Delivery staff?
  6. How is the end of shift/day managed to ensure that an appropriate clean-up is implemented?  


RECORD KEEPING/MASK USE/WAGE SUBSIDY
Seven days from when the Alert Level drops it will be compulsory for you to maintain a record of everyone coming on to your premises (correspondingly everyone will have an obligation to record where they go).  You will need to have a system in place to ensure that this happens and there will be the potential to be fined if this is breached. 

Face masks in the workplace are not currently mandatory, but you can, as part of your Covid-19 health and safety plan, decide that this is appropriate for your workplace, or certain parts/tasks in your workplace.

The wage subsidy has been extended for a further two weeks and applications open at 9 am on Friday 3 September.  At this point the details are not available but we will assume they will require at least the same minimum revenue drop they did for the current one. We will keep you updated on this.


Q & A SUMMARY
 
Can staff that live in L3 go to work in a L4 business now that there are borders? Yes.  To ensure the least disruption you should apply for a travel exemption at www.businessconnect.govt.nz
Can staff that live in L4 go to work in a business when it re-opens in L3? No.  They must remain at home.
Can a L4 business produce goods for a business in L3 or for export? No, not unless they are essential services in New Zealand.
Can a L3 business sell non-essential goods back into Auckland? Yes. The customer can receive the freight but cannot do anything with it.
Do staff and visitors have to check-in to every workplace? Yes, within 7 days of an Alert Level change there will be an obligation for visitors to make a record of where they have been and an obligation for businesses to keep a record of everyone visiting their premises, either via the QR code or some other recording system.
Do staff have to wear facemasks at work? The Government are still working on whether to broaden this requirement from its current settings.  However as a business you have the right to determine now that you require use of them in your workplace as part of your Covid-19 health and safety plan. There may be exceptions for medical reasons which you will need to deal with on a case by case basis.
Can staff move freely around other L3 locations? Travel is to be limited as much as possible and the risk associated with that travel minimised. There should be a good business reason for the travel and staff should carry a letter from the company.
Can a company’s delivery truck operate between L4 and L3 areas Yes, delivery trucks are considered part of the freight system and there are no restrictions on freight.
What paperwork should staff complete when a business re-opens? A return to work form and a Level 3 induction should be completed with all staff where practical.
Can I ask my staff whether they are vaccinated? Yes.  But they don’t have to tell you. If they refuse to answer you should tell them that you will make the assumption they are unvaccinated and they may have to take additional precautions.

Cheers


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