A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well Unite Against COVID-19 - United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses during Alert Level 3
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well Unite Against COVID-19 United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses during Alert Level 3 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 3 – 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 Centre A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 1
ALERT LEVEL INFORMATION UPDATED BY GOVERNMENT SEPTEMBER 2021 Level Level 3: 3: what what it it means means Level foreveryone everyone 33 Level for New Zealand is now at Level 3 to stop and eradicate COVID-19. Alert NewLevel Zealand 3 –isRestrict now at Level 3 to stop and eradicate COVID-19. Eradicating Medium the disease risk of community transmissionis– vital active to but protect people’s health managed clusters. RiskEradicating and ensurethe assessment ourdisease health systemis vital can to protect cope andpeople’s health look after ABOUT CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19 and New • There ensure are multipleour Zealanderscaseshealth ofwho system become community can sick.cope and look after transmission. Neware • There Zealanders who become multiple active clusters sick. in multiple regions. Is coronavirus the same as COVID-19? What is level 3: Access to everything you need Range of measures that can be applied locally or nationally Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. • Travel in areas with clusters or community Food will always be available – production will What is levellimited • Stay transmission home and keep 3: your bubble small. You can expand Access continue, to everything distribution with to reconnect you will continue, need- nau, supermarkets close family/wha COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. • Travel enable in areas with caregiving, orclusters support orisolated community Food will always Yoube willavailable – production will • Affected educational facilities closed people. Thiswill extended continue. bubble legally must always have remain access to exclusive. food. transmission limited continue, distribution will continue, supermarkets • Gatherings • Travel cancelled so stay local. Inter-regional is still restricted, • Affected educational Medicines travel iswill always highly will continue. You willbe available. limited with limited permissions. always have access to food. How is COVID-19 spread? You • can travel Public venues work,facilities for closed school, (eg. closed to pick libraries, up necessities and good purchased in a contactless way or museums, Healthcare for those that need it will be available. • Gatherings undertake cancelled low-risk recreational activities. Work and cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, Medicines will always learn from home ifbeyou available. can. The main way COVID-19 spreads is through contact with respiratory droplets from an infected Your usual financial support, like benefits, person rather than through the air. COVID-19 can survive on surfaces, therefore people can catch • O• nly Public peoplevenues amusement closed whoparks) (eg. libraries, can’t work from homemuseums, should returnHealthcare for thosethat to businesses thatcan need it willopen safely be available. under Alertcinemas, Level food 3. courts, gyms, pools, will continue as normal. • Alternative ways of working required and Your usual financial support, like benefits, the virus by touching infected surfaces then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. amusement parks) • As innon-essential Alert Level 2, businesses you legally should mustclose We wear a face covering must all in some will continue participate settings. Refer to the as normal. • • Alternative detailedNon table ways of primary for more working required information. andrecommended you wear a face covering whenever It’s face-to-face care consultations We have a plan. We need your support to What to do if you develop symptoms younon-essential leave the house. businesses • Non acute (elective) should services andclose procedures We must protect all participate New Zealand and eradicate COVID-19. • G• atherings Non face-to-face in hospitals of up to primary deferred care consultations and healthcare 10 people are onlystaff allowed forEnforcement weddings, We civil have a plan. We union measures ceremonies, needmay yourbesupport used toto funerals ensure COVID-19 symptoms can include a fever of 38°C or more, a new or worsening cough, sore throat, and • Non tangihanga. reprioritised Physical acute (elective) distancing services and record keeping and procedures protect are legally required. FoodCOVID-19. and drink cannot be served. everyone acts New together, Zealand now. and eradicate shortness of breath, sneezing and runny nose, temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste, in hospitals deferred and healthcare staff Enforcement measures may be used to ensure Stay atleave home Where can I in gopublic fornow. more please see covid19.govt.nz for lesser known symptoms. Anyone experiencing these symptoms • When reprioritised you home, keep a 2-metre distance from everyone othersacts when together, or 1-metre in Everyoneenvironments controlled should work at home.like workplaces, where practical information? should stay at home and seek medical advice by calling their GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453. Stay at home Vulnerable • Customers people are onlyinallowed particular should inside Where We stay at businesses: specific can to I go willsupermarkets, continue for update more COVID19.govt.nz banks, primary produce Everyone home and retailers, self-isolate. petrol stations or hardware information? should work pharmacies, at home. stores providing goods to trade customers, Self-Isolation or if it is an emergency or critical situation. We will continue to update COVID19.govt.nz Vulnerable peopleof Only the children inessential particular shouldshould workers stay atbe Your team should understand what self-isolation means and when it is necessary. • Ohome ther and self-isolate. at school or early childhood businesses can openfacilities. if they This trade willinbe a contactless way. communicated • POnly ublicthe directly childrenremain facilities to of essential parents workers closed. andshould Early will change. be childhood centres and schools will open for students You must self-isolate if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, dry cough, fatigue, atYou up school mayorgo to Year early 10 forachildhood for facilities. walk orwho those exercise can’t and This will enjoy learn frombe home. shortness of breath or if you have returned from overseas in the last 14 days or if you or anyone you nature, butservices • Hcommunicated ealthcare keep a 2 metre directly distance to parents should useand from people will change. virtual, non-contact consultations where possible. have been in contact with (physically) has tested positive for COVID-19. at all times. • PYou may eople atgo for arisk high walkoforsevere exercise and enjoy illness, such as older people and those with existing medical If you have been at any location of interest at the date and times specified you must immediately, nature, but keep conditions, a 2 metre distance are encouraged to stayfrom people at home where possible, and take additional precautions at all times. when leaving home. You may choose to work. isolate at your home or accommodation and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on testing and isolating. More information and advice If you self-isolate, you should register with the Ministry of Health by calling the Healthline on to come shortly. 0800 358 5453. More information and advice For more information on self-isolation go to https://covid19.govt.nz/how-were-uniting/self- to come shortly. isolation/ L3_WHAT IT MEANS_FACT_23/03 1 L3_WHAT IT MEANS_FACT_23/03 1 A Guide to Keeping Our People & 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 Physical distancing • Please keep your physical distance, to help protect yourself and others Personal and workplace hygiene • Do not have physical contact with anyone who isn’t isolating with you To mitigate the risk of spreading the virus, it is important to share with your team the importance • Physical distance means keeping 2 metres apart from others of adhering to strict hygiene protocols: • Regularly and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or cleaning Record keeping and contact tracing at your workplace with alcohol-based hand sanitiser (see Hand Washing Protocol poster) At Alert Level 3, it is important we have strong contact tracing abilities. Many Alert Level 3 businesses • Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is most useful if there is limited access to soap and water, are now legally required to provide safe and secure ways for everyone 12 years and over who enters but hands must still be regularly washed their premises or location to record their visits. • Disposable gloves should be changed regularly and good hand washing hygiene maintained Businesses legally must display an NZ COVID Tracer QR code in a prominent place at or near your • Avoid touching your face to reduce risk of transferring virus from contaminated surfaces main entrance. You also need to offer visitors an alternative way to record their visit. If you are using • Covering mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. an alternative contact tracing system, you need to record: Dispose of used tissue immediately into covered rubbish bin • The entry and exit times for workers, visitors and contractors • Maintain 2 metres between yourself and your colleagues at all times • Ask your team to avoid close personal contact including handshaking • The names of everyone on your premises or location • Remove communal magazines and books etc. from all parts of your business including • Their contact details. reception and lunchrooms. Make sure you keep your contact tracing records secure. Workplace cleaning • Increase the general cleaning frequency and depth. Use detergent then sanitise • High touch areas such as light switches and door handles, lunch tables should be cleaned Wash your Physical after each break during the day • Use approved food grade chemicals, ideally a combined cleaners and sanitiser HANDS www.unitedfresh.co.nz Distance www.unitedfresh.co.nz • Where a positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed, advice should be taken from the 1 Wet 2 Soap government COVID-19 website regarding deep cleaning protocols • Mobiles and landlines should not be shared and should be cleaned and sanitised regularly Physical distance means keeping Face coverings 2 metres apart from others Wet your hands under Soap and scrub backs of hands, Your employees must wear a face covering at work if they: clean running water. Use warm water if available. wrists, between fingers, under fingernails for 20 seconds. • Work at a supermarket, dairy, petrol station, licensing trust, pharmacy, food bank, self-service laundry, hardware store, butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, shopping mall, bank 3 Rinse 4 Dry or New Zealand Post • Work in the public-facing area of a court, tribunal or social service provider • Are a delivery driver to residential addresses — delivery drivers only need to wear a face covering If you are in places when they are out of their vehicle Rinse all the soap off under Dry your hands all over for 20 seconds. where you cannot Please keep your physical distance, clean running water. Using a paper towel is best or, to help protect yourself and others. • They are a driver of a taxi, ride-share vehicle, ferry, bus or train used for public transport — Use warm water if available. if at home, a clean dry towel. keep a physical Do not have physical contact with this excludes school buses and ferries between the North Island and South Island. Washing and drying your hands correctly distance of 2 meters anyone who isn’t isolating with you. is a simple step you can take to staying well. from others wear a mask. A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 4
NO 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 3 – link here. A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well United Fresh COVID-19 Continuity Planning for Businesses 5
UNITED 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 If your business has reduced revenue New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre If an employee needs to self-isolate https://www.nzfssrc.org.nz/node/154 If an employee is waiting for the result of a COVID-19 test Employment New Zealand https://www.employment.govt.nz/about/news-and-updates/workplace-response-coronavirus- Information in other languages covid-19/ Business.govt Read more here https://covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/financial-support/financial-support- https://www.business.govt.nz/news/coronavirus-information-for-businesses/ for-businesses/ World Health Organisation https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES THAT ARE LOCATIONS United Fresh New Zealand Inc. OF INTEREST https://www.unitedfresh.co.nz/technical-advisory-group/covid-19 https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/guidance_for_business_that_are_ Horticulture New Zealand has information and resources specifically for New Zealand Growers, locations_of_interest_19_aug_21.pdf https://www.hortnz.co.nz/covid19/ Search United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated to connect with us on 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 6
You can also read