This page provides information from external sources on how the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights) system operates. It also provides information on vaccinations for COVID-19 from a business perspective. This includes guidance on if you can require staff to be vaccinated, whether your business requires visitors to show a vaccine certificate, and how to manage this on your premises. 

Traffic Light System

North Canterbury is currently in the ORANGE setting under the traffic light system, from 11.59pm on Wednesday April 14, 2022. Check out this handy one page traffic light system summary.

Close Contact Exemption Scheme

Workers in food production and its supply chain, key public services, utilities like power and water, transport, financial services, news media, social welfare, and animal welfare will be able to end self-isolation early if identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 case, under the Close Contact Exemption Scheme. Businesses can self-assess whether they fit the criteria for scheme and find out more details on the MBIE website.

Staff Vaccination Information

• As of April 5th, 2022, Government vaccine mandates will now only apply to workplaces that support vulnerable populations or who work in high-risk environments where spread would be rapid or exposure to new variants is high. This includes health and disability sector workers, prison staff and border workers. For full information visit the COVID-19 website. 
   
• If your employees are not covered by the vaccine mandate you can choose if you want to require your employees to be fully vaccinated as a condition of their employment. Vaccinations can only be used as a measure if the risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 at work is higher than it is in the community. Employers must carry out a health and safety risk assessment and consider all other public health measures they can use to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in their workplace. Find out more on the Worksafe website. 
  
  

• The topic of mandatory vaccines for staff and/or changing your vaccine requirements for staff is a tricky one. Employment New Zealand has issued detailed information to guide employers and employees on vaccination requirements in the workplace. 

Vaccine Pass Information for Businesses

• As of April 5th, 2022, the My Vaccine Pass is no longer required in order to enter a business, but businesses can choose to keep this in place as a condition of entry should they wish to. 
  
  
• Some businesses are prohibited from asking for My Vaccine Passes as a condition of entry into their business. These include supermarkets, pharmacies, all health and disability services, social services, food banks, petrol stations and public transport (excluding air-travel).

• To contact our Business Support Team for Covid-19 business support, please email office@enterprisenc.co.nz