Print NZ outlines key points as Kiwis move to level 3 next week

Following the announcement from NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern that New Zealand will move to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 on Tuesday, 28 April, Print NZ General Manager Ruth Cobb has highlighted a number of key points for its members:

- The focus moves from "essential" businesses to "safe" businesses and this has been emphasised by the lead agency for compliance moving from MBIE to Worksafe.

- Contrary to what was initially said, there will be no self-accreditation online registration process.

- It will be up to each business to have in place a plan to ensure that they can keep their workers safe and minimise any chance of transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace and beyond.  

- All staff/contractors will need a Level 3 COVID -19 induction when they return to work so they understand what is required.  The key areas that need to be covered are: Hygiene; Physical distancing; Contact tracing; Worker engagement (including contractors); Contact-less engagement for deliveries/dispatch; and Monitoring

- Nothing you put in place for COVID -19 should compromise any existing health and safety protocols that you have in the workplace.

- You are able to go to the workplace between now and then in order to ready the workplace for business on Tuesday - that may include cleaning, receiving of deliveries to allow production, preparation of machines etc, but you are not permitted to do any non-essential work.

“It is vital that everyone takes this seriously - if a confirmed case results in a cluster in a business, Worksafe will not hesitate to shut down that business, and potentially the industry. There also remains the potential for the PM to push NZ back to Level 4 which nobody wants to see,” said Ruth.

Ruth is currently working on Printing Protocols for the Industry, as well as a sample of a site-based plan and forms that businesses will need to have in place to ensure they comply.  These will be circulated as soon as they are finalised.

In a press release, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: “We want to see Kiwis back in work as soon as possible and our economy rebound before others. At Level 3, 400,000 more New Zealanders will return to work, with key sectors for our recovery like construction, manufacturing and forestry starting up again. Having our economy operating with a low threat of the virus is the competitive advantage we can seize if we get this next phase right. And I believe we can.

“But at Level 3 we need to be even more vigilant and we must stick to the rules, continue to reduce contact and keep breaking the chain of transmission.

“And remember that we remain at Level 4 until you wake up next Tuesday. Let’s stick with our plan and the mission we have. Stay strong, stay home, let’s finish what we started.

“I couldn’t feel prouder of the start we have made together. But I also feel a huge responsibility to ensure we do not lose any of the gains we have made,” she concluded.