17 February 2021

Kia ora koutou katoa,

As I’m sure you'll be aware, earlier today the Prime Minister announced the good news that COVID-19 Alert Levels will drop at midnight tonight. Auckland will move to Level 2, while the rest of the country will return to Alert Level 1. Alert Levels will be reviewed by Cabinet next week.

As a reminder, living under Alert Level 2 means:

• Businesses and schools remain open but public health guidance including physical distancing and record keeping need to be maintained
• Mass gatherings will need to be limited to 100 people
• Hospitality businesses must keep groups of customers separated, seated, and served by a single person with a maximum of 100 people at a time
• Face mask/coverings must be worn if you are in an enclosed space like on public transport.

For the rest of the country:

Although Alert Level 1 allows us to live largely without restiction there are some fundamentals which we should all keep doing:

• Washing our hands
• Using the NZ COVID Tracer app
• Staying home if we feel ill. 

If you have COVID-19 like symptoms please stay home and call your GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice about getting tested.

The official COVID-19 website remains the place to get the latest information. You'll also find material in multiple languages.

Financial support for businesses

The Government has announced a new Resurgence Support Payment to help businesses directly affected when there’s a move to Alert Level 2 or above for a week or more. 

More information can be found on the COVID-19: Financial support for businesses page on the MBIE website. Charities and not-for-profit organisations will also be eligible.   

Meanwhile, information on existing support for businesses can be found here.

Looking after yourselves and each other

Although we've moved fairly quickly back down from higher Alert Levels, going through the change can be unsettling, especially for those in Auckland who have  faced a more challenging environment. For anyone who needs it, there is plenty of support available. Details can be found on the COVID-19 website.

As ever our regional teams are here to help. If you need to get in touch with us here is a list of our Regional Managers. We would be delighted to talk with you. 

Northern Region (upper North Island)
Nandita Mathur - 027 299 8031

Central (central and lower-North Island)
Kudakwashe Tuwe - 027 213 5972

Southern Region (South Island)
Shane Whitfield – 029 200 4625

If you prefer, you can reach us by email at ethnic.communities@dia.govt.nz.

Let's hope we can all return to Alert Level 1 soon. In the meantime take care of yourselves, your families, loved ones, and wider communities.

Ngā mihi nui
Anusha Guler
Executive Director, Office of Ethnic Communities