COVID-19 Protection Framework endS
                                          Monday 12 September, at 11:59pm

      the removal of the COVID-19 Protection Framework will mean:
  -   There are no mask wearing requirements, except in healthcare settings like hospitals, GPs and aged residential care facilities
  -   You need to isolate for seven days only if you test positive for COVID-19 (household contacts no longer need to isolate)
  -   All remaining Government vaccine mandates end in two weeks on 26 September
  -   There are no vaccination requirements for incoming travellers and air crew
  -   All New Zealanders aged 65 and over, and Māori and Pacific peoples aged 50 and over will have  automatic access to COVID
       anti-virals if they test positive
Find out more about these changes: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/.../covid-19-protection...


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                  Te Pou Manaaki - A Community Response Plan for Covid-19

Tu Ora have partnered with Kahungunu Whanau Services (KWS) to create a health and manaaki response to support people to stay in isolation if they have covid.

The Clinical Response Team and Social Response Team are working from Level 7, 35 Victoria Street, Wellington
 
Last Thursday we had a special members hui with Kahungunu Whanau Services Chief Exec, Ali Hamlin-Paenga and Rochelle Gibbs, Te Pou Manaaki Leader,  to present information on the social response to Te Pou Manaaki.
 
The key points when a person / whanau is asked to isolate due to a positive covid test:
  • Referrals for this service can be via a health provider, community provider, or direct contact
  • Referrals to be made to: referrals@tepoumanaaki.org.nz  (response time aimed within 3 hours).
  • The Te Pou Manaaki team - lead by Kahungunu Whanau Services make contact and assess/get some background info and find out what their needs are (KWS are dropping off an initial kai package regardless)
  • There will be regular ‘check ins’ and support for all whanau right up to and including exiting isolation
  • The service is 7 days a week
  • A mobile swabbing service is offered
  • KWS have oximeters and can show how to use them
  • KWS are also bringing in other ‘arms’ of their organisation, ie offering support around employment

​Noted at the meeting there had been a struggle with slow food supply. 

If your service can offer support to this mahi please contact Kahungungu Whanau services on 0800 294 462
                                                Handy health hub for COVID-19 
The COVID-19 Health Hub is a depository of information around what to do if you test positive for, or are exposed to COVID-19,  as a close or household contact. 
 
The Health Hub outlines the simple steps to take to recover, isolate, look after yourself or access support and provides direct links to COVID-19 resources such as My Covid Record, Book My Vaccine and Ministry of Health and Unite Against Covid websites. 
  
Visit the Health Hub here. 
When you might need a Vaccine Pass
From Friday 3 December you may need to use My Vaccine Pass to enter events and venues as required by the traffic light system.
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You may need to show it in a range of public settings. These could include:
  • events
  • hospitality
  • close-proximity businesses, such as hairdressers and gyms
  • sport
  • faith-based gatherings.
Businesses may scan the QR code on your My Vaccine Pass with the NZ Pass Verifier app. This app will confirm your vaccination status for the business. You may also be asked to show ID. It will not store your data or show any information other than your name and date of birth.

Businesses cannot accept a purple vaccination card or vaccination confirmation letter as proof of your vaccination status.

When you will not need a Vaccine Pass
You will not need to show proof of vaccination to access basic needs services like:
  • supermarkets
  • pharmacies
  • health and disability services
  • petrol stations
  • public transport — for example, buses, trains and commuter ferries
  • schools and early learning service providers
  • housing and housing support services.
Medical exemptions
If you are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons, there is an exemption process to get your My Vaccine Pass. 
You will need to talk to your doctor and they will apply on your behalf.
Find out more about exemptions and certificates
How to ask those tricky Covid questions this summer
LEONIE HAYDEN - THE SPINOFF — DEC 7, 2021
As a nation of (mostly) people-pleasers, asking uncomfortable questions isn’t in New Zealanders’ nature. But in a pandemic, it’s sometimes necessary. Here are some suggestions to help make the words come more easily.  .... Read the full article here
Picture

Poster for your Whare or Organisation

​Click for a large version you can download and print for your whare.
OFFICIAL SITES FOR INFORMATION 
Call Healthline if you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms: 0800 358 5453
For any other COVID-19 related queries, contact the government helpline: 0800 779 997
Need to talk? Call or text 1737
Essential business enquiries essential@mbie.govt.nzor 0800 22 66 57
Report breaches of self-isolation police.govt.nz
Mentemia App Free Phone Download for Mental Health 
CONTACT TRACING AND THE WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL RIPPL APP

Contact Tracing Using the Government Trace QR Code, to get your organisation a QR code  - Find Out More Here

Download the NZ GOVERNMENTS COVID Tracer app To Your Phone
Download from Apple Store  or  Download from Google Play Store

Download the WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL RIPPL APP
Wellington City Council is using Rippl to manage contact tracing - Download or Find Out More Here
Click Here to see further questions and answers on how Rippl works.
CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW TO USE THE RIPPL APP

Find out more about Contact tracing on our Covid-19 Employer information Page

COVID-19 CONTACT TRACER BOOKLET

While the tracer app is the best method, the government have created a COVID-19 Contact Tracker booklet as an accessible alternative.

This is to support contact tracing in our community for those who can’t access a smartphone or may not be adept at QR code scanning.

The booklet acts as journal, so you can write details about where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.

You Can Order or Download a Copy Here


Face coverings
The Ministry of Health has updated its advice on the use of face coverings as part of our ongoing response to COVID-19.
  • Types of mask or face covering
  • When to wear face coverings at different Alert Levels
  • Why wearing face coverings helps stop the spread of COVID-19
  • How to wear a face covering safely
  • Types of mask or face coveringTypes of mask or face coveringTypes of mask or face covering
  • Have enough face coverings for everyone in your household

     SEE THE LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS ON FACE COVERINGS HERE

WELLINGTON SUPPORT AND SERVICES MAP

Finding the support and services you need during the Covid-19 lockdown has just become a lot easier in Wellington with the launch of an online interactive map and directory. Developed by Wellington City Council, the map shows who to contact for support and essential services and where to find them in your neighbourhood. 

SOCIAL SECTOR INFORMATION

Covid-19 Social Impact Report and Dashboard
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The Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit is releasing a fortnightly Covid-19 Social Impact Dashboard  see  report  to try and record the outcomes of COVID-19 on our nation, but particularly for poorer, vulnerable Kiwi facing serious hardship in this new normal. This is an important resource welcomed by NZCCSS.  

Community Networks Aotearoa 

Community Networks Aotearoa is updating a special CoVid 19 page on their website daily.  This is the link to the page. https://communitynetworksaotearoa.org.nz/covid-19-updates-info-resources/

MSD List of ‘Essential Social Services’ developed for the national response to COVID-19

Update from MSD – For Essential Social Service Providers - 8 April 2020

On this Page:
INFORMATION FOR AT RISK PEOPLE

Advice for people with underlying medical conditions and some older people who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. 
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People with Underlying Medical Conditions and Older People
NEED HELP?
Funding Information

This page has messages from some funder's and information regarding applying for funding during the
COVID-19 crisis.

​Emergency Food Services

This page has advice, resources and information for community groups providing emergency food services. There are also some information for those wanting to get emergency food.

​Student Volunteer Army Help

How to get help from the SVA and advertising flyer for distribution

​ASSISTANCE FOR THE ELDERLY IN WELLINGTON

Older people in New Zealand - Please ask for help and stay connected! Age Concern Wellington, along with Age Concerns throughout New Zealand, want to make sure all older people are supported through this pandemic. During a time of uncertainty and social distancing it is normal to worry and feel stressed. 
​We are here to help you: please get in touch: 04 499 6646 or info@ageconcernwellington.org.nz

How Age Concern is Helping Seniors Get Through
 
Helping our seniors connect with their community in an important part of what we do and now it’s more important than ever. Fortunately, some of our most isolated and vulnerable people in the community are already connected with volunteers through our Volunteer Visitor Service.  However, over the next few weeks and months there will be many more people needing volunteer support.
 
What we’re doing
  • Help with shopping and essential items – We’ll connect seniors who need help with shopping with volunteers in their area to ensure they are able to stay safe at home. Shopping will need to be left in an agreed place so you can maintain distance. We’re also asking people to try and limit the use of cash where possible by coming to an arrangement for reimbursement. This could be by online banking or cheque – please do not share bank cards or PIN numbers. We also recommend setting a limit to the amount to be spent to ensure there’s no confusion.
  • Advice and support – we’re continuing to give advice and support to seniors by phone and email on the contacts below.
  • Become a phone friend – volunteer to give someone a regular call to make sure they’re okay and keep their spirits up. Whether you’re older or younger it’s nice to have a friendly chat.
  • Become a pen pal – bring joy to someone’s day and rediscover the lost art of letter writing. Letters can be sent by email and NZ Post when possible. We’ll match people who would like to keep in touch through a regular letter.
  • Our weekly Chatter email newsletter will provide information, encouragement and entertainment! If you use email please sign up to Chatter. We know not everyone has email so we’re asking volunteers to print and deliver it to seniors in their area.

Helping seniors stay fit with our online Steady As You Go exercise class – click here to watch and join in on YouTube.
 
If you would like to request help with shopping please call 04 499 6648 or 04 499 6646 or email info@ageconcernwellington.org.nz.
If you would like to volunteer, please complete the form below so we know where you are and how you’d like to help.
Please keep in touch with what’s happening through our weekly Chatter email newsletter. Subscribe here.
 
Want To Help? Sign Up Here
 

COORDINATED SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE AND ISOLATED IN THE CAPITAL

Wellington City Council’s Community Services is working alongside outreach teams and other core support groups in a coordinated approach to look after the more vulnerable members of the city.  https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/news/2020/03/coordinated-support-for-vulnerable-and-isolated-in-the-capital

MULTILINGUAL RESOURCES

Below are some useful links/resources for those groups working with multilingual communities  
Working with multilingual parents & children?

The Health Literacy Project has published factsheets explaining COVID-19 to children in 35 languages. All of the materials were reviewed and vetted by physicians and medical school faculty members at the Harvard hospitals. These materials are freely available for download and distribution without copyright restrictions. Access them here


​RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE DEAF COMMUNITY

  1. A Facebook page has been set up by the Deaf community called: Deaf Positive NZ.  This page has been set up to offer a way for the Deaf community to connect with each other during the lockdown by hosting online activities, exercise, art, story telling etc.) and offering online informal and formal supports for Deaf people across NZ.
  2. Deaf Aotearoa’s Hauora service is a nationwide service that understands and responds to Deaf and hard-of-hearing people’s needs. The Hauora service offers: needs assessment and coordination; applications for assistive equipment; information and advice - https://www.deaf.org.nz/what-we-do/hauora/
  3. Deaf Aotearoa are hosting the most up to date accessible information in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) for the Deaf community about the evolving Covid-19 situation. For more information go here: https://www.deaf.org.nz/covid-19/.
  4. WWW.COVIDNZSL.INFO | Bringing it all together! This is a website which has been set up for the New Zealand Deaf community, to find, share and create content related to COVID-19. This includes all the latest updates and a livestream page with an up-close shot of the NZSL interpreter during daily live-streaming sessions, and open calls for NZSL translations of news, articles, and radio programmes – to ensure that Deaf peoples' knowledge around COVID-19 is on a par with that of the hearing community.
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VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
​Volunteering New Zealand has released resources for organisations using volunteers during COVID-19: 

Volunteer and Organisation guidelines for all levels

Guidelines for levels 2, 3 and 4 At all levels, organisations must follow health guidelines and operate safely. The full details of guidelines can be found on our Covid 19 Employer Information Page


Looking for volunteers? Check out this helpful list of how to find them

WORK AND INCOME INFORMATION 

  • Please don’t worry – you’ll continue to be paid your regular benefit payments.
  • MSD has already done a bunch of things to make it easier for now.
  • If you’re already getting Jobseeker Support, Sole Parent Support or Supported Living Payment, you don’t need to provide another medical certificate.
  • If you’re already getting Disability Allowance and Child Disability Allowance you don’t need to do anything – they will continue to be paid.
  • For now there will be no annual reviews or social housing reviews.
  • Special benefits won’t expire.
  • ​There will be no new obligation failures for now.

​Remember, the Work and Income website, www.workandincome.govt.nz is the place to go for the latest information.

DOWNLOADS AND RESOURCES

WORKING REMOTELY INFORMATION AND TOOLS
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This resource introduces links to digital tools and information that can help you and your team work remotely in an effective and safe manner.

We've organised these into three groups: 
Click on the link below to find our more:
https://community.net.nz/resources/nzntrust/working-remotely-tools-and-links/?mc_cid=34856695b9&mc_eid=e5d9ef8154

How to Become a Videoconferencing Power User

If you fancy the idea of bringing your community together online, products like Zoom are pretty good and easy to use. 
As the pandemic pushes work online, Zoom is the new office.
Follow these tips to get the most out of those video meet-ups.
 
https://www.wired.com/story/tips-for-using-zoom/

Working from Home Planners - Download
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LEAD has designed two planners to ensure you do not fall foul of the common pitfalls of working remotely:

  • Challenges with leading or being part of a virtual team
  • Difficulty in separating work life from home life
  • Feelings of isolation and loneliness
  • Hours that fly by with seemingly 24-hour workdays
  • Inappropriate and ergonomically unhealthy workspaces
  • Lack of (or too many) breaks
  • Distractions from family and friends (Afterall you are 100% available!)
Adding to this is that we are now all working virtually in a high stress and unfamiliar environment. We risk not taking care of our own wellbeing and spending our waking hours juggling work and the new needs of our families.
 
These planners will help your team to work together in a virtual world and organise their days to help them be productive and achieve their goals.

Down Load Your Free WFH Planner Here

SELF ISOLATION

About self-isolation

Self-isolation is an effective precautionary measure to protect those around you – your family, friends, colleagues – from potentially contracting COVID-19. It means taking simple, common-sense steps to avoid close contact with other people as much as possible, like you would with the seasonal flu virus. We know it’s a stressful time, but taking these measures will help protect you, your family and all of New Zealand from COVID-19 and other common infectious diseases.

You should minimise contact with others in your household while you wait for the test result. Others in your house only need to self-isolate while you wait for results if you are a close contact of a confirmed or (probable) case of COVID-19. 

You should not have visitors to your home, but it is okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food and supplies. 
See if you or others become unwell while self-isolating below for more information.

You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, pillows or other items with other people in your home. After using these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water, place them in the dishwasher for cleaning or wash them in your washing machine.

Your health care provider will advise when you are able to leave self-isolation.

There is more information on all of these aspects on this page.
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​These cards can be used to communicate with your neighbours in the event that you, or they, need to self isolate. 

Website created by Justin Meade - Community Engagement Services. 2016