Covid-19 Guidelines and Health and Safety plans

PNZ COVID-19 Guidelines and Health and Safety Plans

UPDATED 3 NOVEMBER 2021

PNZ will continue to monitor the developments daily and have been in regular communication discussing the impact of COVID-19 on our staff, coaches, Para athletes, support staff and upcoming PNZ events. Information is being sourced from many different authorities including the Government, Ministry of Health, IPC, International Federations, HPSNZ, and PNZ Medical Director – Jake Pearson.

The latest HPSNZ updates can be seen here.

IPC weekly updates can be seen here.

New Zealand Government guidance here.

What Alert level are you currently at?

Upper Northland is at Alert Level 3.

Auckland and parts of Waikato are at Alert Level 3, step 2. These include: Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Hamilton City and some surrounding areas, Waitomo District (including Te Kuiti), Waipa District and Otorohanga District.

The rest of New Zealand is at Alert Level 2.

What is the difference between Alert level 3 and Alert level 3, step 2?

Alert level 3, step 2 is as per PNZ Guidelines and Health and Safety Plans below, but:

Gathering numbers have increased to 25 (removing the two household limit).
This means outdoor exercise classes can take place to a maximum of 25 people as long as you stay 2m apart and wear face coverings when not participating.
Professional coaching can occur for sports where this can be conducted under Step 2 rules. For example, tennis, golf and horse-riding can begin on a small group basis with physical distancing required.
Water based activities involving sailing boats, motor boats and other craft like jetskis are permitted but participation is still limited to people from the same household.
You can travel within your region to get to a destination for sport and recreation (for example, going to a particular park or trail) however check in advance whether the place you’re going to is open – not all areas will be.
Non-contact outdoor sports will now be allowed to share equipment. The shared equipment should be sanitised before and after the activity occurs, and physical distancing should be maintained.

There are things you still cannot do at any variation of Alert level 3.

Gyms and indoor recreation facilities such as swimming pools and sports halls cannot open at Step 2.
Any activities that may expose the participant to danger or may require search and rescue services are not permitted. Regardless of your personal competency or experience, if an incident was to occur, and this would typically require search and rescue, then that activity is not permitted.
Inter-regional travel continues to be highly limited to essential workers with limited exemptions for others.

PNZ GUIDELINES FOR ALL PNZ TEAM MEMBERS (INCLUDING ALL STAFF, CONTRACTORS AND PARA ATHLETES)

Outlined in the Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Guidelines and Health and Safety Plans below for Alert Level 2 and 3 are measures to prevent, detect, contain, and rapidly respond to COVID-19 related risks. We are all in this together, and whether you are a board member, employee, contractor, Para athlete, support team member, or visitor here are some general steps to help keep everyone safe. Please refer to the Plans below.

For those experiencing anxiety or having welfare concerns please ensure you talk to either:

Manager/Programme Manager
PNZ Psychologist, Rod Corban at rod.corban@gmail.com or 021 941 765

IMPORTANT PNZ DOCUMENTS

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Guidelines and Health and Safety Plan – Alert Level 3 PDF

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Guidelines and Health and Safety Plan – Alert Level 3 WORD

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Guidelines and Health and Safety Plan Alert Level 2 PDF

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Guidelines and Health and Safety Plan Alert Level 2 WORD

Appendix 1 – PNZ COVID-19 Health Questionnaire and Health and Safety Induction Confirmation
Appendix 2 – PNZ COVID-19 Checklist for all external office/facility

KEY CONTACTS

Should PNZ employees, contractors or Para athletes require any further information or support please feel free to discuss with your Manager and/or Programme Manager.

For medical queries please contact PNZ Medical Director Jake Pearson at medical@paralympics.org.nz or 022 062 2038.

For welfare related queries please contact PNZ Psychologist, Rod Corban at rod.corban@gmail.com or 021 941 765.

For any other queries please feel free to discuss with PNZ Chief Executive on fallan@paralympics.org.nz or 027 248 4828.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 most frequently include sneezing and runny nose, fever, cough, shortness of breath and sore throat, temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be present.
(See https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/about-covid-19/covid-19-symptoms/#covid-19-symptoms for further symptom details).

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE COVID-19?

If you have symptoms and may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, you should phone Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 from overseas) or contact your GP by phone.