23 June 2021
The information below is for assistance only, for the most up-to-date information please go to the official COVID19 Webpage
Everyday life
At Alert Level 2, you can go to work and school, but you should follow public health measures and consider others around you.
If you are unwell
- If you’re sick, stay home. Do not go to work or school. Do not socialise.
- If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and get advice about being tested.
- If you have been told to self-isolate you legally must do so immediately.
Get tested if you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms — tests are free
Self-isolation, quarantine and testing
At Alert Level 2 there may be some situations where you need to self-isolate or go into a quarantine facility.
Who needs to self-isolate or quarantine, and how testing works
Good hygiene
It’s important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.
How to practise good hygiene and stay healthy
Keep track of where you’ve been
Use the NZ COVID Tracer app if you can. This helps with rapid contact tracing if it’s required.
How to keep track of where you’ve been
Businesses are legally required to display the NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster. They legally must also have an alternative contact tracing system.
Get your NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster
Personal movement
At Alert Level 2, you can leave home, but you should follow public health measures and consider others around you.
Physical distancing
Keep your distance when outside your home.
You should keep a distance of at least:
- 2 metres in public and in retail stores, like supermarkets and clothes shops
- 1 metre in most other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms.
Maintaining physical distancing
Face coverings
At Alert Level 2 the risk of COVID-19 being present in the community is higher.
You:
- legally must wear a face covering on public transport and on domestic flights
- are encouraged to wear face coverings in situations where physical distancing is not possible, like in shops.
Who needs to wear face coverings
Local travel
You can travel, but make sure you do it in a safe way.
You should not travel if you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, are awaiting a test or if you need to self-isolate.
Travel between regions
You can travel to other regions that are at Alert Level 2 or lower.
Gatherings and events
No more than 100 people at social gatherings, including weddings, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.
There are specific restrictions at Alert Level 2 depending on the type of gathering:
- Gatherings, event facilities and public facilities
- Eating out and getting takeaways safely
- Going out to bars and night clubs
- Funerals and tangihanga
- Religious communities
Exercise, sport and recreation
You can do your usual exercise and recreation activities, if you can do them safely.
Professional leagues can go ahead at Alert Level 2 because they take place in controlled workplaces.
How to exercise safely at Alert Level 2
Gatherings, events and public facilities
Workplaces and businesses
Businesses can open, but they legally must follow public health rules. These include physical distancing and record keeping.
How to do business at Alert Level 2
Golden rules for business at Alert Level 2
- Reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
- All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are encouraged where possible.
- Talk with your staff to identify risks and ways to manage them.
- Ask everyone — workers, contractors and customers — with cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms to stay away from your premises.
- Keep workers 1 metre apart and customers in retail businesses 2 metres apart.
- Businesses are legally required to display a QR code and provide an alternative contact tracing system.
- Face coverings are strongly encouraged if you are in close contact with others.
- Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
Order free posters, signs and other resources
You can order free printed resources through our website to help your workplace or business operate safely.
Financial support
If you’re having trouble with money, there may be support for you.
At-risk people
People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home.
Advice for people at risk of COVID-19
Education
Early learning services, schools and tertiary education facilities are open to all ages. There are some restrictions if a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 is found related to an educational facility.
