Here’s all you need to know about Level 2. UPDATED August 17th

If you are unwell

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If you are sick, stay home. Do not go to work or school. Do not socialise.
If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and get advice about being tested.
If you have been told to self-isolate you legally must do so immediately.

Get tested if you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms — tests are free

COVID-19 symptoms

Self-isolation, quarantine and testing

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At Alert Level 2 there may be some situations where you need to self-isolate or go into a quarantine facility.

Who needs to self-isolate or quarantine, and how testing works

Maintain good hygiene

It is important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

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How to practise good hygiene and stay healthy

When to wear a face covering

At Alert Level 2 the risk of COVID-19 being present in the community is higher. So, wearing a face covering is more important.

You legally must wear a face covering:

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on public transport
on domestic flights
by taxi and ride-share drivers — while it’s not compulsory for passengers to wear them, we strongly encourage you to.

Who needs to wear face coverings

Keep track of where you have been

Use the NZ COVID Tracer app if you can. This helps with rapid contact tracing if it is required.

How to keep track of where you’ve been

Businesses are legally required to display the NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster. They legally must also have an alternative contact tracing system.

Get your NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster

Travel and personal movement

Our borders are closed to almost all travellers to help stop the spread of COVID-19. There are controls at the borders for those entering New Zealand. This includes health screening and testing for almost all arrivals, and managed isolation or quarantine for anyone who is not travelling quarantine-free.

Travel to New Zealand

You can travel locally

You can travel locally, but make sure you do it in a safe way.

You should not travel if you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, are awaiting a test or if you need to self-isolate.

You can travel between regions

You can travel to other regions that are at Alert Level 2 or lower.

Regional travel

Physical distancing

At Alert Level 2, you can leave home, but you should follow public health measures and consider others around you. Keep your distance when outside your home.

You should keep a distance of at least:

2 metres in public and in retail stores, like supermarkets and clothes shops
1 metre in most other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms.

Maintaining physical distancing

Gatherings and events

You cannot have more than 100 people at social gatherings, including weddings, civil union ceremonies, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.

There are specific restrictions at Alert Level 2 depending on the type of gathering:

Exercise, sport and recreation

You can do your usual exercise and recreation activities, if you can do them safely.

Professional leagues can go ahead at Alert Level 2 because they take place in controlled workplaces.

How to exercise safely at Alert Level 2

Events and entertainment

Workplaces and businesses

Businesses can open at Alert Level 2, but they legally must follow public health rules. These include physical distancing and record keeping.

How to do business at Alert Level 2

Golden rules for business at Alert Level 2

Reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
All businesses can operate if they can do so safely.
Talk with your staff to identify risks and ways to manage them.
Ask everyone — workers, contractors and customers — with cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms to stay away from your premises.
Keep workers 1 metre apart and customers in retail businesses 2 metres apart.
Businesses are legally required to display a QR code and provide an alternative contact tracing system.
Face coverings are strongly encouraged if you are in close contact with others.
Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

Resources for business

You can order free printed resources through our website to help your workplace or business operate safely.

Get free COVID-19 resources

Education

All early learning services, schools, kura and tertiary education facilities are open at Alert Level 2. All tamariki (children) should continue to attend school unless they are sick.

There are some restrictions if a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 is found related to an educational facility.

Education at Alert Level 2

Financial support

If you are having trouble with money, there may be support for you.

Financial support information

At-risk people

People are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 if they’re older or have an underlying medical condition. If you’re an at-risk person, you’ll need to take extra precautions at Alert Level 2.

Advice for at-risk people

It’s important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

How to practise good hygiene and stay healthy

Keep track of where you’ve been

You should keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen. This helps with rapid contact tracing if it’s required.

How to keep track of where you’ve been

Businesses are legally required to display the NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster. They legally must also have an alternative contact tracing system.

Get your NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster

Personal movement

At Alert Level 2, you can leave home, but you should follow public health measures and consider others around you.

Physical distancing

Keep your distance when outside your home.

You should keep at least:

2 metres in public and in retail stores, like supermarkets and clothes shops.
1 metre in most other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms.

Physical distancing detailed information

Face coverings

At Alert Level 2 the risk of COVID-19 being present in the community is higher.

You:

legally must wear a face covering on public transport and aircraft
are encouraged to wear face coverings in situations where physical distancing is not possible, like in shops.

Face covering advice and requirements

Local travel

You can travel, but make sure you do it in a safe way.

You should not travel if you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, are awaiting a test or if you need to self-isolate.

Local travel restrictions

Travel between regions

You can travel to other regions that are at Alert Level 2 or lower.

Regional travel

Border restrictions

There are controls at the border for those entering New Zealand. This includes health screening and testing for all arrivals, and mandatory 14 day managed isolation or quarantine.

Travel to New Zealand

Gatherings and events

No more than 100 people at social gatherings, including weddings, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.

There are specific restrictions at Alert Level 2 depending on the type of gathering:

Exercise, sport and recreation

You can do your usual exercise and recreation activities, if you can do them safely.

Professional leagues can go ahead at Alert Level 2 because they take place in controlled workplaces.

How to exercise safely at Alert Level 2

Gatherings, events and public facilities

Workplaces and businesses

Businesses can open, but they legally must follow public health rules. These include physical distancing and record keeping.

How to do business at Alert Level 2

Golden rules for business at Alert Level 2

Reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are encouraged where possible.
Talk with your staff to identify risks and ways to manage them.
Ask everyone — workers, contractors and customers — with cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms to stay away from your premises.
Keep workers 1 metre apart and customers in retail businesses 2 metres apart.
Businesses are legally required to display a QR code and provide an alternative contact tracing system.
Face coverings are strongly encouraged if you are in close contact with others.
Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

Financial support

If you’re having trouble with money, there may be support for you.

Financial support information

At-risk people

People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home.

Advice for people at risk of COVID-19

Education

Early learning services, schools and tertiary education facilities are open to all ages. There are some restrictions if a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 is found related to an educational facility.

Educational facility restrictions at Alert Level 2

Source: covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/alert-level-2

Level 2 What You Need To Know

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