Which businesses should cease operating at 11.59pm tonight?
MBIE advises: Unless you are sure that your business provides essential services, or is part of the essential services supply chain, in the interests of New Zealand's public health you should cease operating from 11.59 pm on Wednesday 25 March.
You are encouraged to continue checking https://covid19.govt.nz/ for updates.
What if your business is considered essential?
If your essential business is continuing to operate you must ensure it is done in a way that limits the transmission of COVID-19 by taking the following measures:
- minimise, or eliminate if possible, physical interactions amongst staff and with and between customers,
- ensure appropriate health, hygiene and safety measures are in place,
- restrict activity to only what is essential during the Alert 4 period.
What if your business is considered non-essential?
Non-essential businesses must now close their premises. All bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries, playgrounds and any other places where the public congregate must close their face-to-face functions.
If you are a business or worker in a non-essential business, you may still work – as long as this is from home. If you cannot work remotely, you must stay home.
What if your business provides a product or service to both essential and non-essential businesses?
If your business supplies both essential and non-essential businesses, it may continue to supply critical products and services to essential businesses only. You may continue to operate these essential components, as long as it is done in a way that limits the transmission of COVID-19.
What are critical support services?
Critical support services to ensure businesses and workers can continue working from home are considered to be essential. This includes functions such as IT and Payroll.
Can I get accreditation for my essential business?
MBIE will not be providing formal accreditation to essential businesses or their employees. If you wish, you as an employer can provide letters to your staff to detail the specific essential functions they are undertaking with references to the essential services outlined on https://covid19.govt.nz/.
Is Security an essential service?
Security is considered an essential service, even if security services are being provided in relation to a premises for a non-essential service.
Can commercial cleaning continue?
Commercial cleaners may continue operating to clean premises of essential businesses. Commercial cleaners that clean common areas of apartment buildings may also continue to operate in areas where there is high-traffic. In operating, businesses must ensure activities are undertaken in a way that limits the transmission of COVID-19.
