| Tēna koutou, The government is setting up a new close contact exemption scheme for critical services including food production, its supply chain, and transport. The Critical Services Register is different to the previous Essential Business Register, so you still do need to register via the link below. The exemption means that vaccinated close contacts of a positive case can keep going to work instead of isolating if they return daily negative rapid antigen tests (RATs). In addition, close contacts who work alone can continue to operate in a ‘bubble of one’. NB: If at any point an exempted worker returns a positive RAT test, they will need to take a PCR test and isolate for the time specified. Register now for the exemption scheme, as part of your business preparedness. Close Contact Exemption Scheme registration portal. This is the Business Connect portal and requires your RealMe login. Businesses that register ‘will be issued with a letter that, when New Zealand shifts to Phase 2 of the Omicron response, will enable eligible workers to either use RAT tests that their employers may hold, or collect RATs from a collection site. More info on the exemption scheme can be found here. The PNZ team want to remind you of the resources and advice available to assist you in preparing for the impacts of the omicron variant and the potential disruption to your business. We update our Covid-19 webpage as information comes to hand https://potatoesnz.co.nz/news-info/covid-19/ Protect yourself, your family and your community by getting your booster shot, wear a high quality mask when going out, or in close proximity to others and reduce contact with others. Vaccination will reduce the risks but not eliminate them, so we advise caution at home, in business and in travel. Economic support The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is available for businesses, including self-employed people, to help pay their employees who cannot work from home while they wait for a Covid test result. The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme is available to employers, including self-employed people, to help pay their employees who have been advised to self-isolate because of Covid and can’t work at home during that period. With potato harvests underway this heightened level of alert may add stress and uncertainty. Please reach out to PNZ on 0800 399 674 for support. Forms & advice Decision tree for close contacts indoors Decision tree for close contacts outdoors Preparedness on farm template for pandemic What to do if you have a positive case at your farm or workplace We have updated our website Covid-19 page with these files and the latest news https://potatoesnz.co.nz/news-info/covid-19/ Stay safe and well everyone.  The PNZ team are here to help you  CEO Chris Claridge Technical Manager Dr. Iain Kirkwood Communications & Engagement Officer Gemma Carroll Administration & Finance Officer Nicola Loach PNZ Agronomist Paula Lleras PNZ Social Media Links Over 10,000 people and organisations now follow us on social media to keep up with the latest New Zealand and international potato news. Send us your news and events so we can publish them via our social media channels. Instagram – Potatoes_NZ Facebook – Potatoes NZ Facebook – The Chip GroupT witter – Potatoes NZ Linkedin – Potatoes NZ Inc Twitter – Chris Claridge |
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Covid-19 Notice: 11th February 2022
posted in: Email Newsletter, News & Info