Education
When to stay home
Staying at home if you’re sick is the best thing you can do to stop any future spread of COVID-19.
If you’re feeling unwell, it’s critical you stay at home and recover.
Self-isolation
If you’re waiting for COVID-19 test results, and have been told you need to self-isolate, you legally must do so immediately.
Self-isolation means staying at home and taking common sense precautions to avoid close contact with those you live with.
If an education facility has a case link
If an educational facility has a link to a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, it will close for 72 hours to allow for cleaning and contact tracing.
Make sure children are safe and cared for
Alert Level changes mean that some children will have less contact with trusted adults than usual. If you’re worried that a child or young person, you can contact Oranga Tamariki. This could include if you know a child is not safe or is not with their parents or caregivers.
Contact Oranga Tamariki, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone 0508 326 459
Email contact@ot.govt.nz
Education at Alert Level 1
At Alert Level 1, early learning services, schools and tertiary education facilities are open for all age groups.
Face coverings
Children, young people and teachers do not need to wear face coverings at school or on school transport.
Education at Alert Level 2
At Alert Level 2, early learning services, schools and tertiary education facilities are open for all age groups.
Extra public health control measures are in place to prevent the spread of disease and to support contact tracing.
Distance learning will be available for those who cannot attend school. For example, where students need to self-isolate.
Workplace-based learning will follow the rules that apply to the relevant industry.
More information for students, whānau and the education sector(external link) (external link)
Face coverings
Children, young people and teachers do not need to wear face coverings at their service or school, or on school transport.
Education at Alert Level 3
Early learning services and schools
At Alert Level 3, children and young people should learn from home.
Any child who does not have supervision at home from an appropriate person can attend their service or school.
A wide range of businesses and services can operate at Alert Level 3. This means parents and caregivers may need to go to work, rather than work from or stay at home. Services and schools must be open for children in these situations to attend.
Play centres and playgroups will close.
Home-based early learning services can open with a maximum of four licensed children. This includes the educators’ own children, provided they meet public health requirements.
Learning from home
Distance learning is available for all students who are off-site. Including those who have to self-isolate or who health authorities have asked to stay away while waiting for a test result.
Distance learning support and resources (external link)
More information for students, whānau and the education sector (external link)
Tertiary education
All teaching and other activities should be remote, wherever possible.
Where it's not possible to deliver teaching online, some facilities may provide education services. They'll need to follow Alert Level 3 guidelines.
Any class or workshop that cannot move online, and remains open, must limit numbers to 20 people or less. Each such group will be a ‘bubble’ and must not interact with any other student/staff bubbles of 20.
Ministry of Education advice for tertiary providers/whare wānanga (external link)
Ministry of Education advice for tertiary students (external link)
Face coverings
We recommend face coverings for tertiary students and staff when attending on-site activities.
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