It has been a busy week so apologies for the delay in getting this information out to you.
We completed the Pride In Print Awards judging this week which was a huge undertaking in the face of the current Omicron wave, but we got there and have some amazing results to bring you in June. See further down for details of the event and how to book tickets.
From midnight tonight there are changes to the Covid operating framework, with more to come on 5 April - details below. For those of you who have applied for one or more of the Covid Support Payments, please note there are currently processing delays of 10-15 days.
But I start this newsletter with a huge welcome to our new members that have come on board since the start of the year. We are pleased to have them with us as part of our collective industry team. WELCOME TO OUR NEW PRINTNZ MEMBERS
We are thrilled these businesses recognise the benefits of belonging to PrintNZ and further broaden our voice as an industry. We look forward to working with you all.
Boxrite, Highbrook, Auckland, www.boxrite.co.nz
Ellar Graphics, East Tamaki, Auckland, www.ellargraphics.co.nz
Etiquette Labels, East Tamaki, Auckland, www.etiquette.co.nz I Print On Demand, East Tamaki, Auckland,
Reprographics, Takapuna, Auckland, www.reprographics.co.nz COVID UPDATE
There have been a number of changes made to the Traffic Light settings, some of which come into effect at midnight tonight, and some which come into effect at midnight on 4 April. I have summarised these changes under the two dates as follows:
From 26 March
There will be no limit to the number that can attend an outdoor event, however they must still show vaccine passes. If vaccine passes are not used, the limit remains at 25.
Indoor gatherings can be increased to 200 - but again My Vaccine Passes must remain in use for this to occur.
Face masks are still required for most indoor settings at red and orange, but you will no longer need to wear a mask outdoors.
There may be some outdoor events that require you to go indoors and so in those situations you may have to wear a mask when you go indoors, for example to purchase food/use bathrooms.
There will be no requirement to display a QR poster or have a Covid sign-in system - but remember you will still need a Visitor register to meet your health and safety obligations.
Correspondingly there is no requirement for individuals to scan in anymore.
From 5 April
There will be no requirement for businesses to sight vaccine passes. They may still choose to do so, but it is not mandatory.
All businesses will be able to use the new limits for indoor settings (200) and outdoor settings (no limit).
Some of the Government imposed vaccine mandates will be removed.
Note 1: for those businesses that put their own vaccine mandates in place you will need to revisit these and ensure they are still appropriate. If you used a vaccine mandate to terminate a staff member, it does not mean that they are automatically reinstated, and it does not mean that the termination was unlawful - it would be considered in all the circumstances at the time the dismissal occurred, including if there was a mandate in place.
Note 2: In light of these changes, Worksafe are currently producing new health and safety guidance for businesses and this is expected to be available on Tuesday 29 March. We will send this through when it is released.
These are welcome changes, but please bear in mind that they could be reinstated again in the future if other variants of Covid-19 surface.
The next review takes places on 4 April. ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS
These remain unchanged but as a reminder:
Positive Covid cases and Household contacts must continue to isolate for 7 days and at this point that is set to remain in place at all traffic light colours, including green.
A Positive Case starts counting the 7 days from day 0 which is either the day that their symptoms started or the day that they got tested if they do not have any symptoms
If symptoms persist past 7 days they should continue to isolate until they have been symptom free for 24 hours.
Household Contacts self isolate for 7 days from the day the person with Covid tests positive. They should take a Covid test on Day 3 and Day 7, or sooner if they develop symptoms.
They can leave isolation if they have a negative test at Day 7, even if someone else in the household has tested positive during that time.
Critical Workers that are Household Contacts can continue to go to work as long as they provide a negative Rapid Antigen Test before each shift.
Remember all positive RATs need to be notified to the Ministry of Health either online into the person's My Covid Record or via phone on 0800 222478 option 3.
PRIDE IN PRINT AWARDS
Judging of the Awards took place this week. Thanks to all the judges and the businesses they work for that were able to make the time to share their expertise and provide us with an amazing group of winning entries. Every job is thoroughly scrutinised and there is a lot of discussion and healthy debate that takes place across the table.
We now move on to getting ready to celebrate the winners. The 28th Pride In Print Awards are scheduled to be held at Te Pae in Christchurch on Thursday 17 June and you can book your tickets now by clicking here. Please note that just in case we haven't quite kicked Covid to touch we have a rain-out day booked for 16 September so that you can book your tickets with confidence.
I know many of the members we are talking to currently have had, currently have or have staff with Covid. Please take care and make sure that everyone gets the rest they need to recover properly. Have a safe and fabulous weekend. As always you can contact our team if you have any questions.
