What’s the Latest Covid 19 Advice?
Covid is still out there and many people are unsure of what they need to be doing to support and protect their workers. Here is the latest as of July 2024.
1. Guidelines for Isolation: The COVID-19 obligatory seven-day period of isolation is no longer in place; however, the Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora advises anyone who test positive or exhibit symptoms to remain at home for five days. This guideline cannot be legally enforced and the advice is based on the desire to stop the virus's transmission.
2. Mask Wearing: It is still recommended that people wear masks, especially in contexts related to healthcare and disability care. This is regarded as a critical step in halting the spread of respiratory diseases, such as COVID-19.
3. Testing: Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) continue to be the recommended testing technique. For those who are high risk and likely to suffer from a serious illness PCR testing is often advised.
4. Sick Leave and Support: The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme came to an end in August 2023. Worker absences linked to COVID-19 must now be paid for with their regular sick leave. If an employee is sick, you can urge them to take sick time, but you can’t order them to stay home. Sick leave is a statutory entitlement, and they need to consent to staying home. Having clearly defined sick leave procedures and policies is important.
5. Vaccination and Antivirals: Vaccination is still one of the most important ways to avoid serious disease. Furthermore, antiviral therapies such as remdesivir and Paxlovid can be used to lessen the likelihood of serious consequences in high-risk patients.
6. Long Covid: As with any return-to-work programme employers are expected to continue to support their workers by offering flexible work schedules where practical.
7. General Workplace Health and Safety: Employers are still expected to incorporate COVID-19 safety measures into their overall health and safety protocols. This involves making certain that workers who are ill remain at home and, when feasible, that sufficient resources are available for working remotely. It is also advised that if someone has a confirmed case of Covid to keep up good hygiene practices, make sure the workplace has enough ventilation and have ventilation systems like heat pumps regularly serviced.
For more detailed and up-to-date information, employers can visit the Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora websites. As always, if you want to review your current Covid 19 Health and Safety Procedures contact Sarah Thomas on 0272 007 680 or get in touch below.