COVID response update email

DPMC COVID-19 Response Update 14 January 2022 Kia ora, We hope you’ve had a lovely break. This is our first update for 2022 and includes a short summary of key changes from the last three weeks. As part of our continuous improvement to bring value to you and the community, we will be sending out a survey next week on how we can improve this update for you and your networks.

Key things to note: • • • • •

Preparing for COVID-19 in the community, readiness kits.

Boosters information COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 years old: Information for parents and caregivers Changes to pre-departure testing requirements Collateral and resources – how to download and order online.

Preparing for COVID-19 in the community, readiness kits.

Being ready for getting COVID-19 is about making sure you and your household have a plan and know what to do. It will mean your whānau and community can help each other if needed. Find out more here: • • •

Download the COVID-19 Readiness Checklist [PDF, 121 KB] https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/what-to-expect-when-self-isolating-at-home/ https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/be-prepared-for-covid-19/

We have also created a ‘Readiness Kit’ that we will be distributing 500 to key community organisations that help support New Zealand’s most at-risk and vulnerable communities. The two goals are: to drive general awareness of the need to get ready in a positive and supportive way and to enable agencies and organisations who can engage the more at risk to support them to ‘get prepared’.

Boosters Boosters are strongly recommended for anyone over 18 who has had their second dose at least 4 months ago. You can visit some walk-in sites for a booster dose. You can also book an appointment for a booster dose by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).

From 17 January 2022, you'll be able to book booster doses yourself at Book My Vaccine | Ministry of Health NZ (covid19.health.nz).

COVID-19 vaccine and children: Information for parents and caregivers From 17 January, parents or caregivers of tamariki aged 5 to 11 can go to a walk-in clinic with their tamariki or use BookMyVaccine.nz to get immunised with their usual health provider, hauora or general practice (make sure you select the appropriate age range). Ages 12 and over are eligible now.

Learn about the effects COVID-19 could have on unvaccinated young people, the effectiveness and safety of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, providing consent for vaccination and what to expect during the appointment here.

Changes to pre-departure testing requirements From Friday 7 January 2022, most travellers to New Zealand must have a negative PCR or RT-PCR test within 48 hours of their scheduled departure of their first international flight. This is a change from the current requirement for travellers who must provide a negative pre-departure test within 72 hours of departure.

Additionally, travellers from 105 specified places where obtaining a PCR test may be difficult or not possible can instead provide evidence of a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) or loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test taken within 24 hours of departure.

You will need to have had both your COVID-19 sample taken and your result returned within 48 hours of departure for a PCR or RT-PCR test or within 24 hours for a RAT or LAMP test to board your flight to New Zealand.

If you are required to provide a medical certificate as you are unable to take a test for medical reasons and travelling from a place that is exempt from pre-departure testing requirements, you will also need to get this 48 hours before your flight.

Collateral: Translations and Alternate Formats We continue to add more assets on the COVID-19 Resources Toolkit, some are also available as printed collateral: Order here.

These are translated into 27 languages and four alternate formats on the Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz) Resources and other useful links: •

Traffic lights map o Life at Red o Life at Orange

• • •

Self-Isolation, managed isolation and quarantine guidance Omicron variant – Ministry of Health website.

Face coverings – information on the use of masks and face coverings including how they can help you.

Ngā mihi, COVID-19 Group Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet