Working safely at Alert Level 2

Keeping yourself and others safe

At Alert Level 2, your workplace can open and have customers on site, but with some restrictions.

• You must scan in using the NZ COVID Tracer app or record your details for contact tracing every time you enter your workplace.
• If you go into your workplace, keep 1 metre apart from other people you work with, and 2 metres apart from customers or visitors. In some places where there is a cap on the number of people permitted on the premises — for example if you work at a cafe or restaurant, you only need to keep 1 metre apart from customers.
• If you need to have meetings, use a large room with enough space for everyone to physically distance or use video conferencing.
• If you use someone else’s desk, devices or tools, clean and disinfect them before and after use. 
• If your job involves interacting with customers, you must wear a face covering while you are at work. Some people are exempt from wearing a face covering. Who does not need to wear a face covering
• If your job involves interacting with customers, try to limit contact by offering contactless payment methods, and contactless delivery. Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces like cash registers, EFTPOS machines and counter tops. 
• Your employer may also ask you to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if it is needed for your job.

Customers are required to wear face coverings when visiting certain businesses. You should encourage customers to wear a face covering, but you do not have to enforce this, if people refuse. Talk to your employer about how they can help keep you safe.

Keeping workers safe when asking customers to wear face coverings | advice from business.govt.nz (external link)

Your employer may also ask you to work from home if you are able to, or offer flexible working arrangements to help meet physical distancing requirements.

If you are worried about going into work, talk to your employer about flexible work arrangements. If there is something more your employer can do to keep you safe at work, talk to them and explain what you would like to happen.

Taxi, ride-share and delivery drivers

If you are a taxi, ride-share or delivery driver, you must wear a face covering. You must wear a face covering even if you have been vaccinated.

If you are a delivery driver:

• you only need to wear a face covering when you are out of your vehicle.
• you must stay at least 2 metres away from other people when making deliveries to homes or workplaces.

Advice for delivery drivers | worksafe.govt.nz (external link)

If you need to go into someone's home to work

At Alert Level 2, you can go into someone's home to work — for example if you are a cleaner, tradesperson, nanny or in-home care provider. 

You must stay 2 metres apart from others.

We recommend having online payment options to minimise physical contact.

If you go into someone's home to work, remember to keep a record of your visit to support contact tracing. This includes recording:

• the date and time you arrive and leave a customer's home
• your customer's contact details.

Do not go into someone's home if you or if the clients you visit are unwell.

If you need to isolate or get a COVID-19 test

If you have been asked to isolate or get a COVID-19 test, it is important you stay home and follow all public health guidelines.

If you cannot work from home while isolating or while you wait for the results of a COVID-19 test, your employer can apply for financial assistance for you so you can continue to get paid.

Financial support if you are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test (external link)

Financial support if you need to isolate (external link)

Travelling for work

Travelling to work

At Alert Level 2, you can travel locally using both public and private transport to get to work. 

If you need to cross the Alert Level boundary

Business or work travel across Alert Level 3 and Alert Level 2 boundaries is strictly limited. These Alert Level boundaries are an important way to manage the risk of the virus spreading.

You can only travel across the Alert Level 3 and Alert Level 2 boundary if your reason for travel is permitted. Your employer also needs to make sure you have acceptable evidence that you are permitted to cross the boundary.

Business travel over an Alert Level 3 and 2 boundary

Travelling within the Alert Level 2 area

At Alert Level 2, you can travel freely within any Alert Level 2 areas for work. You can use both public and private transport. Remember to wear a face covering on all public transport services and to keep a record of the services you used.