The Ministry of Health urges New Zealanders to adhere to COVID-19 Alert Level rules to help limit spread of the virus, and be respectful of those in our community who have legitimate reasons, such as a health issue, for not wearing a face covering.

The Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) has been very willing and supportive in its role to administer the Exemption Cards for those who are eligible and we thank them for this.  We want to also acknowledge all the extra work your organisations are doing as part of our collective effort to fight this Delta variant of COVID.

In preparation for further announcements on Level changes we have prepared some specific material for each level so you are prepared to help your communities to keep safe.  We will send this as a separate email.

When you’re out and about it’s important to use the COVID-19 tracer app if you are able to. This helps speed up the contact tracing process. Remember to have the Bluetooth function turned on – this means that if you have been at a location where there has been a positive COVID-19 case you will be notified.

If you received this email from a friend and want to subscribe, please do. You can subscribe to the Disability Directorate newsletter here, where you will also find our previous newsletters.

Thanks for everything that you are doing.  

Nga Mihi 

Adri Isbister

Disability Directorate COVID-19 update as of 9:00am 26 August 2021  ​

Today we want to keep you informed of: 

• Mandatory Record Keeping
• Additional supports available for vaccinations and testing
• Post vaccine symptom check
• Carer Support Form
• Welfare checks and manaaki
• PPE distribution

Mandatory Record Keeping

Record keeping will shortly become mandatory for operating at all Alert Levels at most public locations and some businesses.  As a business or service owner, you must:

• Make sure customers and staff can easily record visits through QR Code scanning, manual records or business booking system.
• Ensure record keeping is in place at all Alert Levels that your business operates.
• Have systems and processes in place within 7 days after shifting from this Alert Level 4.
• Not force people who may refuse to make a record of their visit.
• Display a QR code at locations visible and accessible to customers and staff.

The requirement will come into effect 7 days after the next Alert Level change, giving businesses time to prepare.

For more details, go to the Unite Against COVID website https://covid19.govt.nz/ 

Additional supports available for accessing vaccinations 

The Ministry’s general view is that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to disabled people getting to a vaccination or testing site as there are systems in place to support people to sites, if they don’t have their own transport.  DHBs can provide some supports to help get people to vaccinations and testing. 

• The Booking System has questions regarding whether you need support. 
• DHBs have mobile teams available to provide testing. Note there is no centralised information available on national mobile testing capacity.
• Many DHBs are providing direct transport to testing and this is free under their current programmes.  Note there is no centralised information available on the extent of this transportation assistance.
• Mobile vaccine teams are also in place.  No centralised information is available on national mobile vaccination capacity.

Whakarongorau (Healthline)

Healthline has advised it is working alongside all the DHBs to develop processes so that if transport is a barrier to vaccination, people are transferred either through a call back form or the person on the phone is transferred / introduced to a person in the DHB.

COVID-19 Testing • Healthpoint

South Seas Healthcare

The Auckland Pacific health provider, South Seas Healthcare, has a mobile service team and is currently providing testing and vaccinations in Pacific people’s homes. 

Explore

Further support is now available through Explore.  They are providing 1:1 virtual support to disabled and autistic people who need extra assistance to manage anxiety and stress related to the vaccination.  This is in addition to the e-learning tools and resources they have made available on this topic.

To access this service call 0800 000 421 or to find out more go to: Preparing for the COVID-19 Vaccination - HealthCare NZ

Unite Against COVID website is providing up to date information

Travelling on public transport | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)

Post vaccine symptom check

The Post Vaccine Symptom Check is a mobile-based survey which will help the Ministry of Health to monitor reactions to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in New Zealand.  We’re already tracking reports of serious and non-serious reactions after either dose of the Pfizer vaccine using our current reporting system.

The Post Vaccine Symptom Check is an additional way for us to collect data. Collecting data about reactions to the vaccine helps us to confirm that the safety of the vaccine in New Zealand is the same that was seen in clinical trials.

Up to 10% of New Zealanders who have received a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be randomly selected to participate in the Post Vaccine Symptom Check.

A text message will be sent from the Ministry of Health, to ask whether you had any reactions to the vaccine.

You can either reply YES, NO or STOP to opt out. If you reply YES, you will be invited to complete a short survey and will be sent a unique URL by text message.

You will receive a text 6 days after both of your COVID-19 vaccines, and also 43 days after your second vaccine, unless you opt out.

Carer Support Form

We will be sending to you via a separate email an updated form on claiming for Carer Support so people can continue to use Carer Support more flexibly – please share with your audiences.

PPE Distribution

Thank you for your enormous contributions in responding to the latest outbreak of COVID-19. We’ve seen demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) increase five-fold compared to what has been experienced previously.

Split orders and “backorder” packing slips

To ensure that you are equipped with the PPE that you need in a timely manner, we are undertaking to ship deliveries as quickly as we can. This means that sometimes you will receive part-deliveries, with the remainder to follow. If this occurs, your packing slip from Healthcare Logistics / Onelink will indicate that the items still to be received are on ‘backorder.’ Please rest assured this does not mean that there is not sufficient supply. The Ministry of Health holds excellent stocks of PPE in central supply.

Part deliveries can occur where you have ordered goods such as hand sanitiser and alcohol wipes, which are held in a storage facility suitable for hazardous substances. The other instances could be if stock needs to be supplied or transferred from another warehouse.

Please note that order quantities may be rounded up to full cartons to be more efficient. Please also note that brands of items may be substituted for equivalent products on occasion.

Regular ordering rhythm

We would also like to note the large volume of requests for PPE and the reduced air travel in Alert Level 4. We request you place regular orders for PPE, for example  once every week or two. This reduces the number of urgent orders we must process and ensures we can appropriately prioritise orders that are urgent. We saw a large spike in orders over the last week and we are now working to get the orders and logistics processes into an efficient rhythm again. Your assistance with this is much appreciated.

Delivery timeframes and order enquiries

We currently anticipate orders may take approximately 5-7 days from time of order to delivery, resulting from order volumes and logistics constraints. This is longer than usual delivery timeframes so please factor this in as you place your orders.

We request that you only follow up on your order if necessary and please provide your Purchase Order number to ensure your enquiry can be responded to in a timely manner. You enter your Purchase Order number on the portal at time of order placement, please keep a reference of this.

For more information please check out: COVID-19: Personal Protective Equipment Central Supply | Ministry of Health NZ If you have any queries about PPE supply and distribution email COVID.HealthSupplyChain@health.govt.nz.

Welfare Checks and Manaaki

As of Monday 24 August, the Ministry of Health has requested Disability Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) organisations to start contacting those disabled people in their local communities who are known to be more vulnerable as a result of the current Covid-19 Level 4 status. NASCs will contact those people during the lockdown period, check they are getting the information they need, have access to essential supports and services they need and have a contact point should they need it. If it is identified a person needs additional support the NASCs will assist in coordinating an appropriate response.

In addition, and due to the concentration of community cases and locations of interest in the Auckland region the local NASC, Taikura, has taken action. Taikura has re-established linkages with community groups and established a local provider forum to support the local disability network to  connect with government and social agencies and help respond to emerging issues. Key issues noted to date include the management of staff resources because of the number of people unable to work due to being identified as close contacts, being unwell or are more vulnerable.

There are a lot of people doing it hard now, either struggling with anxiety, the feeling of loneliness, working long hours to help, or not able to work. If you can, please do check in with your friends and whānau, staff, clients, and volunteers during this time. Caring enough to ask how someone is, is often all it takes. A phone call, a text,  or a shout out on social media to show you care helps a lot.  These are things we can do even when there is no pandemic. Feel free to share what you are doing online during this lockdown with us. We would love to see some of the amazing things you’re doing to keep yourselves entertained, to check in with other folk and to support you keeping yourself safe in your bubble.

Previous Messages

At Alert Level 4, face coverings are mandatory

At alert Level 4, face coverings are mandatory: for all people at all businesses and services that involve customer contact.  

Face coverings are to help reinforce physical distancing, not replace it. Face coverings are already mandatory on airlines and public transport across all alert levels. If you are using any of the following services during Level 4, then you must use a face covering:    

• on public transport and at departure points e.g., train stations and bus stops, on flights, in a taxi or rideshare vehicles (drivers and passengers)   

• visiting healthcare facilities; and   

• Using any Level 4 businesses and services still open involving customer contact, including supermarkets, pharmacies, and petrol stations.  

Current exemptions for face coverings remain, including for people under the age of 12 or people with a physical, issues related to mental health or a disability that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable.  

Exemptions for Face Coverings   

The Prime Minister has reinforced the exemption on face coverings. Some people cannot wear a covering for genuine reasons – such as a health issue which makes mask-wearing impractical. This is a high-trust system, and we trust people to do the right thing. Wearing a face covering is about keeping yourself and others safe.  

Current exemptions for face coverings remain, including (but not limited to) for people under the age of 12 or with physical or mental health conditions or disability that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable. In these cases, you can get an exemption card to show when needed, for example to bus drivers or at supermarkets.  

Get an exemption card  

If you need an exemption card, call the Disabled Persons Assembly NZ on 04 801 9100  

You can get a printable version, or a card that you can show on your phone.  

If you prefer, you can contact the Disabled Persons Assembly NZ, or contact them on 04 801 9100 or at info@dpa.org.nz  

 Locations of interest ​

Locations of interest are constantly being updated and a list is available on the Ministry of Health website here. The website now has an added search function to help with this. COVID-19: Contact tracing locations of interest | Ministry of Health NZ 

It is critical that people moving around in public spaces during Alert Level 4 frequently check locations of interest.  

This requirement includes Alert Level 4 workers checking locations of interest they may work in or have visited, for example supermarket workers, healthcare workers, transport operators, etc.  

If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.  

Carer Support ​

Please note that this applies to those people who are funded by the Ministry of Health for disability support services only (i.e., not funded through DHBs (District Health Boards).  

You can use Carer Support more flexibly so that:  

• you can pay family members who you live with to provide you with a break  

• relief care can be used when you are doing your other paid work (even if you are working from home)  

• you can continue to use your Carer Support funding to buy things that will provide you with respite if you stay within your total budget. Examples are art and craft supplies, books, or DVDs.  

As it is up to you to choose what support or service to buy, it is your job to make sure the respite is good quality and covers all your requirements. In most cases, if you run out of Carer Support, you will not get additional funding.  

You cannot use your Carer Support for the following:  

• illegal activities, gambling, or alcohol  

• to pay for things that are not disability supports like rent/mortgage, food, personal debt, gifts, power, usual household items etc.  

To claim your Carer Support, please send in your Carer Support claim forms as usual and, if applicable attach receipts for any goods you have purchased. If you have not received any relief care, you do not need a signature from a relief carer on your Carer Support forms. Payments will continue to be made in half days or days as usual.  

You will be able to email Carer Support claim forms in over Alert Levels three and four shortly.  We will let you know when this up and running and how to use it.  

Surety payments

We know people want news on surety payments, we are working on advice, and we will get you as soon as possible; however, we encourage you to access all government financial support which you can find here: Financial support | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)   

We all have a role to play in keeping COVID-19 out of our community.  ​

We have seen from overseas how quickly the Delta variant can spread in the community. We only get one chance, which is why it is even more important to follow the golden rules below:   

• Stay at home in your bubble   

• Feeling unwell?  call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 about getting tested  

If leaving the house:   

• Wear a mask and keep a 2m distance from others   

• Keep on scanning QR codes   

• Wash and sanitise hands often   

• Stay local and be kind to one another   

Disability Services Operating at Alert Level 4 

If services can be provided (including digitally) within alert level restrictions, they are contractually required to do so.    

Aged residential care and disability residential care are essential services and must continue to be available.     

Essential personal care services, such as assistance with toileting, washing and eating, should be provided as usual.   

Essential home help, such as house cleaning, is or should be available where appropriate PPE is used.   

Planned respite services will be suspended, but urgent respite care may be provided. We can provide some flexibility for paying secondary carers for respite.   

Essential supported living services can continue.   

Support persons are permitted under right 8 of the Health and Disability Code.    

For aged residential care, hospices and disability residential care, family visits are not permitted.    

Under Alert Level 4 there are no exemptions for end-of-life visits.  

For more details about Alert Level 4, see: Alert Level 4 | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)  

The Delta Variant is highly infectious

The Delta variant is highly infectious.  

If you feel unwell, get a test  

Any person who has visited a location of interest at the relevant time may have been exposed and must immediately isolate and arrange a test by contacting Healthline on 0800 358 5453.  

There are several locations of interest which continue to be updated regularly. Check the Ministry of Health website to find out dates, times, and locations of interest.  

An additional Section 70 notice is in place that applies to any person who is a household contact of a person who has attended the locations of interest or who has been classified as a contact.  

If a person has visited a location of interest at the relevant time, their household contacts will need to isolate at home until the person has received a negative day 5 test or until after an earlier negative test if contact between the two people has ceased.  

If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.  

Vaccination centres are operating under Alert Level 4 restrictions

Bookings can be made by visiting BookMyVaccine.nz   

Young people aged 12 – 15 years will be able to access the vaccine through a variety of ways most convenient to them and their family/whānau, for example:   

• At their general practice or community pharmacy   

• At a community vaccination centre   

• At other community-based sites such as faith-based locations or marae   

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our whānau. The more of us who are vaccinated in our community, the greater our immunity.  

For more information please look here: ​COVID-19: Vaccine information for health professionals | Ministry of Health NZ   

View the latest vaccine data and statistics on our website 

Alert Level 4 guidance for people with personal budgets 

This is the latest guidance for people who are on Individualised Funding (IF), Enhanced Individualised Funding (EIF), and Enabling Good Lives / Mana Whaikaha personal budgets who employ their own support workers.  

COVID-19: Information for disabled people and their family and whānau | Ministry of Health NZ 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

PPE is not needed in all interactions. Its use needs to be considered part of a range of activities that reduce the risk of transmission of infection when used correctly and in the appropriate context.  

For full guidance on PPE: Personal protective equipment use in health and disability care settings | Ministry of Health NZ  

Travelling to work at Alert Level 4

Health and Disability Workers are an Alert Level 4 business or service. You can find out more detail at Doing business at Alert Level 4 | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz) 

It is important that Alert Level 4 businesses and services: 

• follow government advice about doing business at Alert Level 4 

• follow Ministry of Health advice about managing the risk of COVID-19 at work 

If your employees need to go into the premises or work on site, they can use public transport to commute.   

Employees may be asked to show who they work for so they can prove they have a reason to travel. We recommend you provide your employees with a letter to confirm: 

• their name 

• that they are providing an Alert Level 4 business or service 

• the address of your workplace. 

Everyone legally must wear a face covering on all public transport, including at departure points such as train stations and bus stops unless they have an exemption. 

Continue to stay in your Bubble  

As in the previous Level 4 lockdown, your Bubble continues to be the protective shield to help prevent you from getting COVID-19. In Alert Level 4, the best way to keep safe is for everyone to stay at home in their personal 'bubble'.  We recommend only going out in public for essential groceries, medicines, or daily exercise and following the safety rules of physical distancing.   

Keep up to date with the Āwhina App

Āwhina helps health workers to stay up to date on the latest information relevant to the health and disability sector and receive notifications when content is added or updated.   

You can download the Āwhina app free on your phone or tablet from the App Store (Apple users) or Google Play (Android).    

You need Apple IOS 9 (2015) and above or Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean 2012) and above.  

Please find more information here: COVID-19: Āwhina app | Ministry of Health NZ  

Mental health and wellbeing

It is important to make sure you and your staff are safe and well. For some, the news of cases in the community may be unsettling. We encourage you to act now and take practical, proactive steps to look after your mental wellbeing – practicing helpful techniques and accessing support when you need it – we can avoid a spike in mental health distress now and in months to come.  

Access our online mental health and wellbeing information, tools and resources  

It is a suitable time to remember all the things that have got us through previous lockdowns:  

• staying connected (distance, not distant)  

• limiting your time online  

• having a plan! Sticking to a schedule or routine  

• moving your body daily  

• exploring your local neighbourhood (at an appropriate distance!)  

• going easy on yourself - sometimes just getting through the day is a win  

The Mental Health Foundation and All Right? team have a Workplace wellbeing during COVID-19 resource, which includes a guide for leaders and wellbeing tips for healthcare workers. Te Pou also has several useful resources to help support your teams.  

Mental wellbeing tools  

Please use and promote the Ministry’s key health messages, resources, and tools. As above, these are available on our website at COVID-19: Mental health and wellbeing resources | Ministry of Health NZ  

The Getting Through Together campaign is a mental wellbeing programme focused on things we can all do to maintain our mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

There is also information and resources specifically for Māori, Pasifika, new parents, older people, and other groups that might be more at risk due to the impacts of COVID-19, from the Health Promotion Agency.  

The Whakatau Mai Wellbeing Sessions are also available at www.wellbeingsessions.nz.  

 ​It's OK to ask for help

It is OK to ask for help if you or someone else is in danger or think someone could be harmed or may harm themselves. The Ministry of Justice is keeping its website up to date with information on support services available.  

Family violence and sexual violence helplines | New Zealand Ministry of Justice or you might want to use a silent solution - Silent Solution - 111.pdf (nzfvc.org.nz)  

You can find a shield icon at the bottom of various websites. The icon opens shielded.co.nz from Women's Refuge. The website has information on getting help. If you open the website by clicking on the icon, it won't appear in the internet browser history. Look for the icon on the bottom of Warehouse, Bunnings, Countdown, ASB, BNZ, TradeMe, MSD and many other websites.  

Helpline services are available right now in New Zealand that offers support, information and help for you and your parents, family, whānau and friends.  

All the services listed here are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unless otherwise specified. Helplines | Mental Health Foundation  

Resources  

Key COVID-19 information in Te Reo Māori and over 33 other languages, plus accessible formats for the disabled community, is available from the Unite Against COVID-19 website.  

• Accessible and Alternative Formats is available in NZ Sign Language, large print & audio, easy read.  

• Information for Pacific peoples.  

• Useful posters for your workplace or community.  

• Financial support for individuals, whānau, foreign nationals, and businesses.  

• Up-to-date Alert Level information  

• Case information and numbers from the Ministry of Health  

Contact information  

Call Healthline if you have symptoms 0800 358 5453  

Need to talk? For mental health help, call or text 1737  

Free helpline for businesses, offering advice and access to Government business support, HR and general business advice and access to online resources and webinars. Call 0800 500 362 for North Island, or 0800 50 50 96 for South Island.  

Report issues and people or businesses not following advice to COVID-19 Compliance Centre.  

Key Disability Directorate Contacts  

If you need to speak to someone, these are the contact details for those in the Disability Directorate.  

Provider streams/service types:  

Disability Information and Advisory Services, Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination, and Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination Association  

• Doug Funnell doug.funnell@health.govt.nz   

National Intellectual Disability Secure Services, Regional Intellectual Disability Support Accommodation Services, Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care & Rehabilitation) Act.  

• Amanda Smith amanda.smith@health.govt.nz  

General Manager Operations  

• Amanda Bleckmann amanda.bleckmann@health.govt.nz  

Residential, Contract Board, Foster Care and Respite   

• Viv Ruth, viv.ruth@health.govt.nz   

Home and Community Support and Supported Living   

• Martin Anderson, martin.anderson@health.govt.nz   

Individualised Funding and Personal Budget Hosts, Day Services and MSD (Ministry of Social Development) contact   

• Christy Richards, christy.richards@health.govt.nz     

Child Development Services and Autism Developmental Coordination   

• Ondine Claridge, ondine.claridge@health.govt.nz   

Equipment and Modification Services   

• Cath Williams, catherine.williams@health.govt.nz   

Vision and Hearing Services   

• Sarah Payne, sarah.payne@health.govt.nz   

Key Stakeholder Groups:  

Carers and Carers Alliance   

• Stuart Parkinson, stuart.parkinson@health.govt.nz    

Disabled People Organisations/EGL Governance and Leadership Groups/Human Rights Commission   

• James Poskitt, james.poskitt@health.govt.nz    

Maori Equity, Providers, Te Ao Marama and Whānau Ora interface Group   

• Noho Williams, nohopuku.williams@health.govt.nz    

Pacific Equity, Providers and Favia Ora   

• Tofa Gush, tofa.gush@health.govt.nz   

General Contacts:  

Deputy Director General Disability    

• Adri Isbister, adri.isbister@health.govt.nz    

COVID-19 Disability Lead   

• Rāwā Karetai Wood-Bodley, rawa.karetai@health.govt.nz    

General Disability Enquiries 

• disability@health.govt.nz