Have a safe-as summer

Get ready for a safe-as summer. Enjoy summer this year by being prepared and knowing how to stay safe.

Order RATs Where to pick up RATs

What you need to know

Prepare for summer

COVD 19 vaccine summer

Check your vaccinations

Keep up to date with your vaccinations, including boosters, before you go on holiday. Māori and Pacific people aged 40 and over can now get the second booster.

COVID 19 rat summer

Get RATs

Have enough RATs to test everyone in your whānau over the holidays and take some with you if you are travelling. Order them online or by phone and pick them up from collection sites around the motu.

COVID 19 travel summer

Have a plan

If you get COVID-19 while travelling this summer, have a plan to get home and where to safely isolate. Take RATs, hand sanitiser, face masks, and your usual medications with you.

Attending or hosting events this summer

If you are hosting or inviting people into your home:

  • have hand sanitiser available
  • open the windows and doors
  • eat outdoors when possible
  • spend time outside.

If you or anyone in your home is sick, do not host gatherings or invite people over. Encourage friends and whānau who are unwell to test for COVID-19 and stay home.

If you are attending events:

  • do not go to an event if you are sick
  • test immediately if you develop any COVID-19 symptoms
  • stay outdoors as much as possible
  • wash or sanitise your hands when you arrive and leave an event.

Stay safe over summer

Protect yourself and others

To avoid infection and reinfection from COVID-19, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself. Stay home if you are sick, limit your time in crowded indoor spaces, and eat outdoors when possible.

Wear a face mask

Always carry a face mask with you and wear it in crowded indoor spaces. You must wear a face mask when visiting healthcare services. You can get free face masks when you pick up RATs.

If you have COVID-19

If you have symptoms take a test immediately. If it is positive, you will need to self-isolate for 7 days. Report your RAT and find out what else you need to do if you have COVID-19.

If you get COVID-19 while travelling

If you get symptoms while away from home, take a RAT immediately. Do not wait to get home. If you test positive, you will need to isolate where you are or drive home.

How to self-isolate

If you are sick do not travel or take part in events or activities. Find out what you need to do when self-isolating, including reasons you are permitted to leave self-isolation.

Medicines to treat COVID-19

Free antivirals can help people who are at risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19. They reduce the amount of virus and your chances of hospitalisation. Antivirals must be started within 5 days of getting sick.

Download the summer checklist

How to have a safe-as summer checklist [PDF, 89 KB]

Get help over summer

  • Call the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for free COVID health advice anytime, even on public holidays.
  • For any other non-urgent health concerns, call the general Healthline number on 0800 611 116 for free.
  • Check the holiday hours of your usual doctor or health provider.
  • Call the COVID-19 disability helpline for free on 0800 11 12 13 or text 8988. It can help with vaccines, testing, face mask exemptions, managing COVID-19, and any other health concerns you may have. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Hospital emergency departments and most urgent care clinics remain open. If it is an emergency, always call 111.
COVID 19 summer

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