Symptoms of COVID-19 are like a range of other illnesses, such as influenza. Symptoms include:

• a cough
• a high temperature (at least 38°C)
• shortness of breath — shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and needs immediate medical attention
• sore throat
• sneezing and runny nose 
• temporary loss of smell.

These symptoms don't necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are like other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

If you have these symptoms, please call Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453 or you can call your doctor immediately. If you're outside New Zealand call +64 9 358 5453 or your doctor. Call your doctor before visiting.

If you can’t get food or essential items yourself or with the help of whānau, friends, iwi, neighbours or community providers, there is urgent help available.

You can contact your local Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (CDEM).

Find your Civil Defence Emergency Management Group numbers for essential supplies (external link)

If you're healthy and under 70, you should go to the supermarket instead of shopping online. This will leave home delivery slots free for the people who need them most.

Shops are doing their best to limit the number of shoppers and to keep customers 2 metres away from each other.

Tips to follow when you go to the supermarket:

• Wash your hands before and after you shop.
• Come prepared with a list so you can get in and out as quickly as possible.
• If possible, only send one person from your household to do the whole shop. You may need to take young children with you if there's no carer available.
• Keep 2 metres away from others, including staff – they need to keep safe too!
• Only touch what you want to buy.
• Be kind to essential workers, and others you’re sharing the shop with.

Advice about shopping safely for groceries

We want all consumers to be confident that prices are fair.

If you think a business has unnecessarily increased its prices on essential goods or services, ask the retailer the reason for the price increase. If you're not happy with the answer you get from the retailer you can make a complaint to the Commerce Commission

Information on increased prices and consumer rights during COVID-19 (external link) 

Report price increases online (external link)

You can report a breach to the police if you have concerns about:

• a gathering of people
• anyone who is not self-isolating as required, or
• an event that breaches the criteria.

Don't call 105. Reports will be prioritised based on risk.

Report a breach online (external link)

Help is available if you're experiencing financial distress.

Read more about financial support

Use the COVID-19 financial support tool to find out what financial help may be available to you.

The Keep New Zealand Working online recruitment tool connects job seekers directly to the employer making it quicker and easier for people to find work. The tool also provides online training courses.

Use the Keep New Zealand Working online recruitment tool (external link)

Your usual financial support, such as benefits, will continue.

More about COVID-19 support on the Work and Income website (external link)

It's normal to feel anxious or stressed about COVID-19, or you may feel lonely when you're self-isolating.

Advice on how to look after your emotional and mental wellbeing

It's important to seek help and professional support. Your family doctor is a good starting point.

For support with grief, anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can also call or text the 'Need to talk?' service on 1737. This service is free, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and gives you the chance to talk with a trained counsellor.

You may be wondering if you need to be using personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to keep yourself safe during this time.

The Ministry of Health has information on PPE use for workers to protect you and those you live with.

Read about PPE for workers (external link)

The most important thing for you to know is that basic hygiene measures are the best defence against COVID-19.

If you're unwell, you must not go to work, and must not return to work you have had no symptoms for 48 hours. Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor if you feel unwell.

Dairies and petrol stations can remain open at all Alert Levels.

At Alert Levels 3 and 4, customers can only go into dairies and petrol stations on a one-in-one-out basis.

At Alert Level 4, they cannot sell food or drink that has been prepared or cooked on-site, for example coffee, milkshakes, or made-to-order sandwiches. They can sell food that has been prepared and packaged off-site by a supplier — even if it needs heating, for example pies or sausage rolls.

At Alert Level 3, prepared food and drink can be bought and sold, but cannot be consumed by customers onsite.

Guidelines for all businesses at COVID-19 Alert Levels (external link)