This contains the most up-to-date and approved messaging on key COVID-19 matters.
Information that changes or is added between grids will be highlighted. Please ensure you are using the most up to date version.
This version was current at 10/02/2022 5:04 pm. Download the Message Grid here
Key things to note:
- Close contact exemption scheme to help keep critical supply chains running through Omicron launches.
- Guidelines have been confirmed for people who either work alone, or can do so.
- There are currently 12 people in hospitals across New Zealand.
- There are 306 new cases in the community and 30 new cases identified at the border.
- The Big Boost Week is now in full swing, with 56,257 booster doses administered yesterday.
- 95% of New Zealanders have had two vaccine doses.
- 1,941 paediatric doses administered yesterday.
Critical service worker contact exemption
- Close contact exemption scheme to help keep critical supply chains running through Omicron launches.
- From today, businesses and organisations can register online as a critical service if they think they will meet the criteria when New Zealand enters Phase 2.
- Critical service workers who are close contacts of COVID-19 cases can keep going to work instead of isolating if they return a negative rapid antigen test.
- Critical services include food production and its supply chain, key public services like health and emergency services, lifeline utilities such as power and water supplies, transport, critical financial services, news media and social welfare. It also includes human and animal health and welfare.
“Bubble of one” contact exemption
- Guidelines have been confirmed for people who either work alone, or can do so.
- These workers will be able to continue operating in a “bubble of one” if they are identified as a contact.
- These guidelines apply to any workers, not just critical workers, and do not require them to return regular tests.
- These changes strike a balance between continuing to keep people safe, but also keep businesses and services operating as smoothly as possible.
Health Update – Cases, Testing and Contact Tracing
- There are currently 12 people in hospitals across New Zealand.
- There are 306 new cases in the community and 30 new cases identified at the border.
- 27,425 tests processed nationwide in the last 24 hours.
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests in New Zealand: 6,800,000.
Booster Programme and Vaccination Update
- The Big Boost Week is now in full swing, with 56,257 booster doses administered yesterday.
- This brings the total so far to more than 1.7 million – 55% of those eligible.
- With Omicron in New Zealand, the best thing people can do is get their booster as soon as it is due.
- Boosters lower the chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised. They also help slow the spread of the virus.
- People are urged to have personal plans ready, and follow the key public health advice of getting vaccinated, boosted, tested (if symptomatic) and masking up.
- 95% of New Zealanders have had two vaccine doses.
- Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 4,049,971 first doses (96%); 3,977,640 second doses (95%).
- 1,941 paediatric doses administered yesterday.
- To date, 204,727 first doses has been administered to 5-11-year-olds (43%).
- The decision for the vaccination of children solely sits with parents, caregivers and whanau – the Government’s job is to make sure they have all the advice, support and information to make that decision.
- Detailed information on COVID-19 vaccines for children can be found at the MoH and UAC websites:
Information in other languages and alternate formats
- You can find a wide variety of COVID-19 information in 27 languages and 4 alternate formats on the Unite Against COVID-19 website. Key information includes:
- COVID-19 Our Isolation Plan
- Getting your booster dose
- Protecting your tamariki from COVID-19
- Wearing a face mask
- Testing
- Support for if you get COVID-19
- Support for individuals and families
- We will continue to update our translated information as the situation develops.
Posters and resources
- Examples of the resources we have available are below, these can be downloaded through our online platform, Toolkit (COVID-19 Resource Toolkit (covid19.govt.nz). These have also been translated into 27 languages, which can be found here.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- If you cannot find the resource you are searching for, you may wish to create your own posters. Please find the design toolkit and guidelines here.
More information
- Message Grid from the DPMC is attached.
- Beehive Press Release: New scheme to keep key sectors going through Omicron
Web pages
- Reconnecting New Zealanders to the World
- Life at Red
- 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.
- Advice for people with COVID-19 | Ministry of Health NZ
- Guidance for workplaces that have a case of COVID-19 | Ministry of Health NZ
- COVID-19: Self-isolation, managed isolation/quarantine | Ministry of Health NZ
- COVID-19 vaccine and children: Information for parents and caregivers | Ministry of Health NZ
How children and young people can get vaccinated | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)