A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well Unite Against COVID-19 - NEW ZEALAND
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A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well
Unite Against COVID-19
United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses during Alert Level 4
NEW ZEALAND Fourth Edition
As at August 2021
INTRODUCTION
United Fresh New Zealand Inc. is committed to our horticulture community.
We have produced this guide to help keep our people and workplaces well
in the face of COVID-19 challenges. This is crucial to ensure New Zealanders
continue to have access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
It is important to support your team and keep them well informed on the
status of COVID-19 and which Alert Level we are currently experiencing.
This document will be updated to accommodate the rapidly changing
situation.
You will find important website links for further information at the back of
this document.
Together we can slow the spread.
CONTENTS
2 Alert Level 4 – What it means
2 About COVID-19
3 COVID-19 4 Level Alert System
4 Helping Keep Our People Well
Acknowledgements:
5 Food Safety
Thanks to United Fresh members for sharing organisation information regarding COVID-19:
5 Employer Responsibilities
• Fresh Direct • MG Marketing 6 Financial support for businesses
• Freshmax • Seeka Fresh
6 Further information and resources
• Horticulture New Zealand • T&G Global
• New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated • The AgriChain
A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 1
Level 3: what it means Level
WE ARE CURRENTLY AT ALERT LEVEL 4 - LOCKDOWN
for everyone 3
Level 4: what it means
New Zealand is now at Level 3 to stop and eradicate COVID-19.
Level
for everyone
Eradicating the disease is vital to protect people’s health
and ensure our health system can cope and look after
New Zealanders who become sick.
4
NewLevelWhat is level 3:
Zealand Access to everything you need
Alert
• Travel in areas –isclusters
4with now at Level 4 to stop and eradicate COVID-19.
Lockdownor community Food will always be available – production will
Likely transmission
the disease limited
Eradicating isthe disease
not contained. is vital tocontinue,
protect distribution will continue,
people’s supermarkets
health and
• Affected educational facilities closed will continue. You will always have access to food. ABOUT CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19
ensure our health system can cope and look after
Risk•assessment
Gatherings cancelled Medicines will always be available.
New Zealanders
• Public who
venues closed (eg. become
libraries, museums, sick.
Healthcare for those that need it will be available. Is coronavirus the same as COVID-19?
• There is sustained and intensive community transmission.
cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools,
• Outbreaks are widespread.
amusement parks)
Your usual financial support, like benefits, Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.
will continue as normal. COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.
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• •NoAffected
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facilities closed or to will continue. You will always have access
undertake safe recreational activities. to food.
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workin hospitals
and deferred
learn from and
home. healthcare staff Enforcement measures may be used to ensure
• Gatherings cancelled
reprioritised Medicines
everyone will always
acts together, be available.
now. person rather than through the air. COVID-19 can survive on surfaces, therefore people can catch
• No gatherings are allowed. All public and education facilities close.
• Public venues closed (eg. libraries, museums, Healthcare for those that need it will be available. the virus by touching infected surfaces then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
Stay
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What to do if you develop symptoms
• •Businesses must
Alternative ways close
of exceptrequired
working for necessities
and supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations) and
homeutilities.
lifeline and self-isolate.
Green grocers, butchers, bakeries, and fishmongers can sell uncooked food items COVID-19 symptoms can include a fever of 38°C or more, a new or worsening cough, sore throat,
non-essential
online businesses
and must deliver should close
all orders. We must all participate
Only the children of essential workers should be
• Non face-to-face primary care consultations shortness of breath, sneezing and runny nose, temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste,
• Asatinschool
Alert Level
or early2,childhood
you legally must This
facilities. wear a be
will We in
face covering have a plan.
some We need
settings. your
Refer support
to the to table
detailed
•forcommunicated
Non acute (elective) services
please see covid19.govt.nz for lesser known symptoms. Anyone experiencing these symptoms
more information. It’s
directly to parents and
recommended procedures
and will protect
you wear a face
change. Newwhenever
covering Zealand and
youeradicate
leave theCOVID-19.
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in hospitals deferred and healthcare staff Enforcement measures may be used to ensure should stay at home and seek medical advice by calling their GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
• Rationing
You mayof go supplies and
for a walk or requisitioning
exercise and enjoyof facilities as well as reprioritisation of healthcare
reprioritised
services is possible.
nature, but keep a 2 metre distance from people everyone acts together, now.
at all times.
• Members
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Stay atofhome
a household or shared bubble may view or accompany the deceased in a funeral home,
Where can I go for more
cemetery or faith-based institution subject to strict conditions.
Everyone should work at home. information? Your team should understand what self-isolation means and when it is necessary.
Vulnerable people in particular should stay at We will continue to update COVID19.govt.nz You must self-isolate if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, dry cough, fatigue,
home and self-isolate. shortness of breath or if you have returned from overseas in the last 14 days or if you or anyone you
More information and advice
Only the children of essential workers should be have been in contact with (physically) has tested positive for COVID-19.
to come
at school shortly.
or early childhood facilities. This will be If you have been at any location of interest at the date and times specified you must immediately,
communicated directly to parents and will change.
isolate at your home or accommodation and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on testing
You may go for a walk or exercise and enjoy and isolating.
nature, but keep a 2 metre distance from people 1
L3_WHAT IT MEANS_FACT_23/03
at all times. If you self-isolate, you should register with the Ministry of Health by calling the Healthline on
0800 358 5453.
For more information on self-isolation go to https://covid19.govt.nz/how-were-uniting/self-
isolation/
More information and advice
to come shortly.
L3_WHAT IT MEANS_FACT_23/03
A Guide to Keeping Our 1People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 2
ALERT LEVEL INFORMATON UPDATED BY GOVERNMENT 7TH SEPTEMBER 2021
New Zealand COVID-19 Alert Levels Summary
• The Alert Levels are determined by the Government and specify the public health and social measures to be taken in the • Services including supermarkets, health services, emergency services, utilities and goods transport will
fight against COVID-19. Further guidance is available on Covid19.govt.nz. continue to operate at any level. Employers in those sectors must continue to meet health and safety obligations.
• Different parts of the country may be at different Alert Levels. We can move up and down Alert Levels. • Restrictions are cumulative (for example, at Alert Level 4, all restrictions from Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3 apply).
Updated 7 September 2021
Elimination Strategy — New Zealand is working together to eliminate COVID-19
Risk
Alert Level assessment Measures that can be applied locally or nationally
• Stay home in your bubble. • As in Alert Level 2, you legally must wear a face covering in some settings. Refer to the detailed table for more
4
• There is
sustained • No travel is allowed except for necessities or to undertake safe recreational activities. You must work and learn information. It’s recommended you wear a face covering whenever you leave the house.
and intensive from home. • Rationing of supplies and requisitioning of facilities as well as reprioritisation of healthcare services is possible.
community • No gatherings are allowed. All public and education facilities close. • Members of a household or shared bubble may view or accompany the deceased in a funeral home, cemetery or
Lockdown transmission.
• If you work for an Alert Level 4 business or service and you have no available options for childcare, you can extend faith-based institution subject to strict conditions.
• Outbreaks are your household bubble to include a carer for your children.
Likely the widespread.
disease is not • Businesses must close except for necessities (e.g. supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations) and lifeline utilities.
contained Green grocers, butchers, bakeries, and fishmongers can sell uncooked food items online and must deliver all orders.
• There are • Stay home and keep your bubble small. You can expand to reconnect with close family/whānau, enable caregiving, or • When you leave home, keep a 2-metre distance from others when in public or 1-metre in controlled environments like
3 multiple cases
of community
transmission.
support isolated people. This extended bubble legally must remain exclusive.
• Travel is still restricted, so stay local. Inter-regional travel is highly limited with limited permissions. You can travel
for work, school, to pick up necessities and good purchased in a contactless way or undertake low-risk recreational
workplaces, where practical
• Customers are only allowed inside specific businesses: supermarkets, banks, primary produce retailers, pharmacies,
petrol stations or hardware stores providing goods to trade customers, or if it is an emergency or critical situation.
Restrict • There are activities. Work and learn from home if you can. • Other businesses can open if they trade in a contactless way.
multiple active • Only people who can’t work from home should return to businesses that can safely open under Alert Level 3. • Public facilities remain closed. Early childhood centres and schools will open for students up to Year 10 for those who
Medium risk of clusters in • As in Alert Level 2, you legally must wear a face covering in some settings. Refer to the detailed table for more
community multiple regions. can’t learn from home.
transmission information. It’s recommended you wear a face covering whenever you leave the house.
• Healthcare services should use virtual, non-contact consultations where possible.
– active but • Gatherings of up to 10 people are only allowed for weddings, civil union ceremonies, funerals and tangihanga. Physical
managed distancing and record keeping are legally required. Food and drink cannot be served. • People at high risk of severe illness, such as older people and those with existing medical conditions, are encouraged
clusters to stay at home where possible, and take additional precautions when leaving home. You may choose to work.
2
• There could • You can connect with friends and whānau in person, socialise in groups and go shopping and travel domestically, if • You legally must wear a face covering if you work:
be limited following public health guidance. - as a driver of a taxi or ride-share vehicle
community • You can return to the place where you work or learn but alternative ways of working are still encouraged
transmission.
- at close contact businesses, for example barbers, beauticians and hairdressers
• Businesses, schools, early learning services, tertiary education providers and public facilities, such as museums, - in a public facing role at a hospitality venue, for example a cafe, restaurant, bar or nightclub
Reduce • There are active libraries and pools can now all open with additional health measures in place.
clusters in more - at retail businesses, such as supermarkets, shopping malls, indoor marketplaces, takeaway food stores
• Gatherings of up to 50 people indoors or 100 people outdoors are allowed including weddings, funerals and - in the public areas of courts and tribunals, local and central Government agencies, and social service providers with
Low risk of than one region.
tangihanga. Mandatory record keeping (as in Alert Level 1) and physical distancing are legally required. customer service counters
community
transmission • Hospitality businesses legally must keep groups of customers separated and seated. Maximum of 50 people indoors - at indoor public facilities, for example libraries and museums (but not swimming pools)
within applied or 100 people outdoors in a defined space.
• Health and disability care services can operate as normally as possible.
area • Event facilities, including cinemas, stadiums, concert venues and casinos can have up to 50 people indoors and 100
• Keep 2 metres apart from people you do not know in public and places like retail stores, libraries, gyms, and museums.
people outdoors. You can have more than 50 people in an event facility, but only if the people are in separate ‘defined
spaces’, and there should not be direct airflow between the defined spaces. • Keep 1 metres apart from people in other places like office buildings and factories, and in places where there is a cap
• You legally must wear a face covering if you are aged 12 and over when: on numbers, like cinemas and hospitality.
- using public transport, airplanes (including in departure points such as train/bus stations) and in a taxi or ride-share vehicle • People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (for example, those with underlying medical conditions,
especially if not well-controlled, and older people) are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home,
- visiting a healthcare or aged care facility (other than for a patient) unless fully vaccinated. You may work, if you agree with your employer that you can do so safely.
- inside retail businesses, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, shopping malls, indoor marketplaces, takeaway food • Sport and recreation activities are allowed, subject to conditions on gatherings, record keeping, and – where
stores and public venues — such as museums and libraries. practical– physical distancing. Gyms — 2m physical distancing, outdoor teams sport — no physical distancing.
- visiting the public areas within courts and tribunals, local and central Government agencies, and social service • Public transport must be seated only.
providers with customer service counters
• COVID-19 is • All businesses, facilities, schools, education providers and workplaces can open. • There are no restrictions on personal movement or gatherings.
1
uncontrolled • NZ COVID Tracer QR codes issued by the NZ Government legally must be displayed in workplaces and on public • In all other settings you are encouraged to maintain a record of where you have been.
overseas. transport. • You legally must wear a face covering if you are aged 12 and over when:
• There could • The following places legally must have systems and processes to ensure visitors keep a record of where they have - using public transport and airplanes (excluding inter-island ferries and school buses).
Prepare be sporadic been (whether via the NZ COVID Tracer app or otherwise), including healthcare facilities, aged care facilities, - exclusions apply for people with disabilities or mental health conditions.
imported cases. close-contact businesses, hospitality venues, public facilities, exercise facilities and social gatherings such as
The disease is • There could be weddings, funerals and tangihanga.
contained in isolated local • In all other places, we encourage you to keep track of everywhere you have been, as this helps contact tracing to
New Zealand transmission in identify any potential spread of COVID-19.
New Zealand.
New Zealand COVID-19 Alert Levels Summary Updated 7 September 2021
A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 3
HELPING TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE WELL Wash your
Personal and workplace hygiene
To mitigate the risk of spreading the virus, it is important to share with your team the importance
HANDS www.unitedfresh.co.nz
of adhering to strict hygiene protocols: 1 Wet 2 Soap
• Regularly and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or cleaning
with alcohol-based hand sanitiser (see Hand Washing Protocol poster)
• Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is most useful if there is limited access to soap and water,
but hands must still be regularly washed
• Disposable gloves should be changed regularly and good hand washing hygiene maintained Wet your hands under
clean running water.
Soap and scrub backs of hands,
wrists, between fingers,
• Avoid touching your face to reduce risk of transferring virus from contaminated surfaces Use warm water if available. under fingernails for 20 seconds.
• Covering mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Dispose of used tissue immediately into covered rubbish bin 3 Rinse 4 Dry
• Maintain 2 metres between yourself and your colleagues at all times
• Ask your team to avoid close personal contact including handshaking
• Remove communal magazines and books etc. from all parts of your business including
reception and lunchrooms
Rinse all the soap off under Dry your hands all over for 20 seconds.
clean running water. Using a paper towel is best or,
Workplace cleaning Use warm water if available. if at home, a clean dry towel.
• Increase the general cleaning frequency and depth. Use detergent then sanitise Washing and drying your hands correctly
• High touch areas such as light switches and door handles, lunch tables should be cleaned
is a simple step you can take to staying well.
Physical
after each break during the day
• Use approved food grade chemicals, ideally a combined cleaners and sanitiser
Distance www.unitedfresh.co.nz
• Where a positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed, advice should be taken from the
government COVID-19 website regarding deep cleaning protocols
• Mobiles and landlines should not be shared and should be cleaned and sanitised regularly
Physical distance
Physical distancing means keeping
• Please keep your physical distance, to help protect yourself and others If you are in places 2 metres apart
• Do not have physical contact with anyone who isn’t isolating with you where you cannot from others
• Physical distance means keeping 2 metres apart from others keep a physical
Face Coverings at Alert Level 4 distance of 2 meters
from others wear
You legally must wear a face covering;
a mask.
• On public transport
• On domestic flights
Please keep your physical distance,
You are also strongly encouraged to wear a face covering; to help protect yourself and others.
• In taxis and ubers etc. Do not have physical contact with
• When you are outside your home and in a place where it is hard to keep your distance anyone who isn’t isolating with you.
from others.
A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 4NO EVIDENCE OF FOODBORNE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES
UNITING AGAINST COVID-19 IN THE WORKPLACE
As employers we all need to do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19, and protect
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION our people.
FOOD SAFETY GUIDANCE UPDATED COVID-19 has created a new work health and safety risk that businesses need to manage.
The World Health Organisation has recently released
All businesses are expected to:
more detailed food safety guidance for food business, • Follow the latest Ministry of Health advice about preventing COVID-19 and to promote good
you will find this information on our website here. hygiene practices at work
• Identify and manage any emerging risks brought about by COVID-19. For example, changes
in consumer demand may impact worker health and safety and supply issues with personal
protective equipment
FOOD SAFETY Organising your workplace
According to the NZ Food Safety Science & Research Centre and MPI, so far, • Where possible, people should work from home. Ensure people are provided necessary
there is no evidence that humans have been infected by swallowing the virus in resources to do so
or on food or drink, though it has been found in a small number of faecal samples. • Staff shifts should leave the workplace before the next shift arrives
The strong acid in the stomach is thought to destroy this type of virus. • Stagger staff start, finish and break times so fewer people are together
• Control or restrict travel for your team to work meetings and events
The European Food Safety Authority have also stated: There is no evidence that food
• Meetings should be conducted using teleconferencing technology
is a likely source or root transmission of COVID-19.
• Restrict visitors/customers coming on to worksites
• Strengthen registration procedures requiring visitors to identify risks associated with
COVID-19 before entering worksites
People contract coronaviruses by breathing in infected droplets, or by getting it on their hands, • Where practical, separate workstations to maintain social distancing
for example, and then touching their face, especially the mucous membrane inside the nose. • Organise teams into small ‘pods’ of workers that work in separate areas such that if one
Conceivably, infectious droplets could land on food, packaging, or other surfaces, and then be person comes into contact with COVID-19, the number of workers exposed and needing
transferred to the face via hands – though this has not been proven to occur as yet. The virus to self-isolate is limited
can survive for a few days on surfaces, depending on the nature of the material. • All shared vehicles including forklifts need to be well cleaned and sanitised regularly and
The important things for our industry to adhere to in the food safety space is to be vigilant with always after each operator finished before the new operator uses the vehicle
strict hygiene and cleaning regimes, ensure your traceability systems are adhered to and identify
Looking after your staff
anyone showing symptoms.
• Ensure your staff are fully informed of personal and company safety measures
A suspected or confirmed infection could have serious consequences for your workplace.
• Maintain regular contact with teams working in isolation or from home
However, not reporting it and not acting straight away to isolate all other contacts would have
worse long-term outcomes for the reputation of a producer or the whole sector, not to mention • Offer frequent support and reassurance
the health of others. • Offer physical wellbeing information regarding eating well, staying active,
maintaining usual routines
There has been some misinformation shared in the media and on the government website to use
• Communicate leave policies with your team
soapy water to wash fruit and vegetables. This is incorrect, the correct advice for consumers is to
• Provide Health and Safety updates (via email, teleconference, zoom or similar)
wash all produce as you normally would by rinsing it under the tap before consuming it. It is not
advisable to wash fresh produce with detergent.
For more information visit:
Golden Rules for Business at Alert Level 4 – link here.
A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 5UNITED FRESH CONTACTS
General & Media Enquiries: Paula Dudley, General Manager, United Fresh New Zealand
Incorporated info@unitedfresh.co.nz
Supply Chain: Jerry Prendergast, President, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated,
info@unitedfresh.co.nz
Food Safety: Anne-Marie Arts, Food Safety Representative, United Fresh Technical Advisory
Group amarts@agrichain-centre.com
Technical Queries: Dr Hans Maurer, Chair, United Fresh Technical Advisory Group
hmaurer@agrichain-centre.com
FURTHER INFORMATION
Read more about COVID-19 Alert levels here
https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
Doing business at Alert Level 4
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES Find out if your business can operate at Alert Level 4 here
Financial support schemes to help businesses and their employees in times of difficulty, to recover https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/businesses/doing-business-at-alert-level-4/
from the effects of COVID-19.
For up-to-date advice from the Ministry of Health go to
https://covid19.govt.nz or phone 0800 358 5453
On this page
New Zealand Ministry of Health
COVID-19 financial support tool https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre
COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment https://www.nzfssrc.org.nz/node/154
COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme Employment New Zealand
https://www.employment.govt.nz/about/news-and-updates/workplace-response-coronavirus-
Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme covid-19/
Insolvency relief for businesses Business.govt
Apprenticeship Boost initiative https://www.business.govt.nz/news/coronavirus-information-for-businesses/
Information in other languages World Health Organisation
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Read more here https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/financial-support/financial-support- United Fresh New Zealand Inc.
for-businesses/ https://www.unitedfresh.co.nz/technical-advisory-group/covid-19
Horticulture New Zealand has information and resources specifically for New Zealand Growers,
GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES THAT ARE LOCATIONS https://www.hortnz.co.nz/covid19/
OF INTEREST
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/guidance_for_business_that_are_ Search United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated to connect with us on
locations_of_interest_19_aug_21.pdf
www.unitedfresh.co.nz info@unitedfresh.co.nz 0800 507 555
A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 6You can also read
