Thursday, June 4, 2020 | 10:36 AM
New Zealand is now at Alert Level 2. The Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Rotorua Lakes District Health Board and Toi Te Ora are leading the regional health response to COVID-19. The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Group Emergency Coordination Centre (GECC) has been activated to assist the national health response and to manage and coordinate the consequences of COVID-19 in the Bay of Plenty.
Disasters Happen! The good news is it’s easy to make sure you and the people and things you care about, are ready.
Get Ready
There are many different ways you can stay informed about what is happening before, during and after an event. Sign up for text alerts and find out more about our suite of alerting tools.
Stay Informed
The latest updates, information and advice from the New Zealand Government on COVID-19 can be found at www.covid19.govt.nz
Limiting our interactions with others is our best defence against COVID-19.
We are now at Alert Level 2, but we still need to play it safe, no one wants a second wave.
We have more freedom of movement at Alert Level 2, but it’s up to each one of us to keep the rest of New Zealand safe.
At Alert Level 2 most businesses are open if they can do it safely and many people will be back at work.
Tertiary education facilities, schools and early learning centres are open and we can travel between regions. Most importantly we can safely connect and socialise with close friends and whānau.
We can return to our regular recreation activities but remember COVID-19 is still out there, so play it safe.
Keep your distance from other people in public, ideally 2 metres when you are out and about and 1 metre from others in controlled environments (such as work, school or out shopping). Take extra care around people you don’t know.
Maintain good hygiene practices. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands! Sneeze and cough into your elbow and regularly disinfect surfaces.
If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to work or school. Don’t socialise and if you have symptoms of cold or flu call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and get tested.
Accessing support
If you are struggling and need assistance, please contact the following organisations:
If you are an existing Work and Income New Zealand client or a New Zealand resident needing financial support: please ring Work and Income on 0800 559 009.
If you’re calling because you have been temporarily displaced from your home due to COVID-19 and need support to find short term temporary accommodation, please call the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment ‘s Temporary Accommodation Service on 0508 754 163
If you are a foreign national in need of support and have been unable to access assistance from your embassy please contact the Bay of Plenty Regional Council on 0800 884 880 and ask to speak to the Civil Defence welfare team.
If you’re not sure what assistance may be available or don’t know who to contact for help, call the free government helpline on 0800 779 997
For further Frequently Asked Questions visit www.covid19.govt.nz for more local information and contacts.
