Waikato

Alert Level 3
Advice about what to do if you are in the parts of the Waikato at Alert Level 3.

Latest update — 23 October 2021

  • Ākonga (students) in Years 11, 12 and 13 in Alert Level 3 areas will be able to return to school from Tuesday 26 October 2021. This includes ākonga who live in an Alert Level 3 area, and go to school in another Alert Level 3 area.
  • Ākonga who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should continue to learn from home, unless they are fully vaccinated.
  • All NCEA and Scholarship exams will continue in Alert Level 3 areas, and will follow public health guidelines.
  • All ākonga and staff must wear a face covering, unless they are exempt — this includes on school transport services.
  • Teaching staff, including volunteers, must get a negative COVID-19 test before returning to work.
  • As part of the mandatory vaccination requirements for education workers, all staff, including volunteers, must get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15 November 2021.
  • Tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) in Years 1 to 10 should continue learning from home, if they are in an Alert Level 3 area.

Who does not need to wear a face covering

Mandatory vaccination requirements for education workers

Parts of Waikato are at Alert Level 3

Parts of Waikato remain at Alert Level 3. This will be reviewed on 27 October 2021.

These parts include:

  • Waitomo District, including Te Kuiti
  • Waipa District
  • Ōtorohanga District
  • Raglan
  • Te Kauwhata
  • Huntly
  • Ngāruawāhia
  • Hamilton City and some surrounding areas 

View the Alert Level boundary map

Vaccination is our best tool to stop the virus — get yours today

You can help stamp out the virus by getting vaccinated. Visit a local vaccination centre now or book your vaccine today.

Book your vaccine today

Visit a walk-in or drive-through vaccination centre today

Locations of interest

Any locations of interest will be listed on the Ministry of Health website.

Regularly check locations of interest | health.govt.nz (external link)

Testing centres

Anyone in Hamilton who has COVID-19 symptoms is asked to please get tested, and isolate until you receive your result.

There are also walk-in vaccinations available in Hamilton today at the super-site at Te Awa – The Base, as well as other sites around the city.

Find an open testing centre near you | healthpoint.co.nz (external link)

What to do at Alert Level 3

At Alert Level 3, make sure you follow all the public health rules to protect yourself, your whānau and our communities.

There are restrictions on what you can do and where you can go at Alert Level 3.

  • You should work from home if you can. 
  • Children and young people should learn from home.
  • You can go to supermarkets and some food retailers, banks, pharmacies, petrol stations and some other places.
  • Other businesses can open if they can have contactless pick-up or delivery, including takeaways.
  • You can exercise outdoors, but stay close to home.  

Learn more about you must do at Alert Level 3

Travel at Alert Level 3

At Alert Level 3, travel is restricted and only allowed for permitted movement in your local area — for example, going to work if you need to, shopping or getting exercise. Otherwise, you should stay home.

If you must travel, carry evidence of the purpose of your travel and be prepared to explain your reasons for travel should you be stopped at a checkpoint or spot check. 

Permitted movement within Alert Level 3

Travel in and out of Waikato Alert Level 3 area

Restrictions on travel by road and air are in place. You can travel for limited permitted reasons. 

If you need to travel through Hamilton airport to get home — for example, if you are on holiday in an Alert Level 2 area and live in the Waikato Alert Level 3 area — you are permitted to travel home.

Alert Level boundary map

Personal travel across an Alert Level boundary

Business travel across an Alert Level boundary

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