United Against COVID-19 A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2 - Third Edition As at May 2020
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United Against COVID-19
A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe
During Alert Level 2
Third Edition
As at May 2020
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 About COVID-19 and Alert Level 2
3 COVID-19 4 Level Alert System
4 Keep Your Workplace Clean To Help Stop The Spread
Acknowledgements:
5 Food Safety
Thanks to United Fresh members for sharing organisation information regarding COVID-19:
5 Employer Responsibilities
• Fresh Direct • MG Marketing
6 Government Support for New Zealanders including Business
• Freshmax • Seeka Fresh
6 Further Information and Resources
• Horticulture New Zealand • T&G Global
• New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated • The AgriChain Centre
United Against COVID-19 A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2 1
Level 2: what it Level
means for everyone 2
New Zealand is now at Level 3 to stop and eradicate COVID-19.
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.
What is level 3: Access to everything you need
• Travel in areas with clusters or community Food will always be available – production will
transmission limited continue, distribution will continue, supermarkets
will continue. You will always have access to food.
ABOUT CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19 • Affected educational facilities closed
• Gatherings cancelled Medicines will always be available.
• Public venues closed (eg. libraries, museums, Healthcare for those that need it will be available.
Is coronavirus the same as COVID-19? cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools,
Your usual financial support, like benefits,
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. amusement parks)
will continue as normal.
• Alternative ways of working required and
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.
non-essential businesses should close We must all participate
• Non face-to-face primary care consultations We have a plan. We need your support to
How is COVID-19 spread? • Non acute (elective) services and procedures protect New Zealand and eradicate COVID-19.
The main way COVID-19 spreads is through contact with respiratory droplets from an infected in hospitals deferred and healthcare staff Enforcement measures may be used to ensure
reprioritised everyone acts together, now.
person rather than through the air. COVID-19 can survive on surfaces, therefore people can catch
the virus by touching infected surfaces then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Stay at home Where can I go for more
Everyone should work at home. information?
What to do if you develop symptoms Vulnerable people in particular should stay at We will continue to update COVID19.govt.nz
home and self-isolate.
COVID-19 symptoms include a fever of 38°C or more, fatigue, a dry cough and shortness of breath.
Only the children of essential workers should be
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should stay at home and seek medical advice by calling their at school or early childhood facilities. This will be
GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453. communicated directly to parents and will change.
You may go for a walk or exercise and enjoy
Self-Isolation nature, but keep a 2 metre distance from people
at all times.
Your team should understand what self-isolation means and when it is necessary.
You must self-isolate if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, dry cough, fatigue,
shortness of breath or if you have returned from overseas in the last 14 days or if you or anyone you
have been in contact with (physically) has tested positive for COVID-19.
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.
For more information on self-isolation go to https://covid19.govt.nz/how-were-uniting/self-
isolation/ L3_WHAT IT MEANS_FACT_23/03 1
United Against COVID-19 A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2 2
ALERT LEVEL INFORMATION UPDATED BY GOVERNMENT 7TH MAY 2020
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 • Different parts of the country may be at different Alert Levels. We can move up and down Alert Levels.
taken in the fight against COVID-19. Further guidance is available on the Covid19.govt.nz website. • Essential services including supermarkets, health services, emergency services, utilities and goods transport will
• The measures may be updated based on new scientific knowledge about COVID-19, information about the continue to operate at any level. Employers in those sectors must continue to meet health and safety obligations.
effectiveness of control measures in New Zealand and overseas, or the application of Alert Levels at different • Restrictions are cumulative (e.g. at Alert Level 4, all restrictions from Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3 apply).
times (e.g. the application may be different depending on if New Zealand is moving down or up Alert Levels).
Published 7 May 2020
ELIMINATION STRATEGY – New Zealand is working together to eliminate COVID-19
Alert Level Risk Assessment Range of Measures (can be applied locally or nationally)
• People instructed to stay at home in their bubble other than for essential • Businesses closed except for essential services (e.g. supermarkets,
Level 4 – Lockdown
• Community transmission
is occurring. personal movement. pharmacies, clinics, petrol stations) and lifeline utilities.
• Safe recreational activity is allowed in local area. • Educational facilities closed.
• Widespread outbreaks and
Likely the disease new clusters. • Travel is severely limited.
• All gatherings cancelled and all public venues closed.
• Rationing of supplies and requisitioning of facilities possible.
• Reprioritisation of healthcare services.
is not contained
Level 3 – Restrict
• Community transmission might • People instructed to stay home in their bubble other than for essential • Businesses can open premises, but cannot physically interact
be happening. personal movement – including to go to work, school if they have to, or with customers.
for local recreation. • Low risk local recreation activities are allowed.
• New clusters may emerge but can
High risk the disease be controlled through testing and • Physical distancing of two metres outside home (including on public
transport), or one metre in controlled environments like schools and
• Public venues are closed (e.g. libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts,
gyms, pools, playgrounds, markets).
contact tracing.
is not contained workplaces.
• People must stay within their immediate household bubble, but can
• Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed but only for wedding services,
funerals and tangihanga. Physical distancing and public health measures
expand this to reconnect with close family / whānau, or bring in must be maintained.
caregivers, or support isolated people. This extended bubble should • Healthcare services use virtual, non-contact consultations where possible.
remain exclusive. • Inter-regional travel is highly limited (e.g. for essential workers, with limited
• Schools (years 1 to 10) and Early Childhood Education centres can exemptions for others).
safely open, but will have limited capacity. Children should learn • People at high risk of severe illness (older people and those with existing
at home if possible. medical conditions) are encouraged to stay at home where possible, and
• People must work from home unless that is not possible. take additional precautions when leaving home. They may choose to work.
Level 2 – Reduce
• Household transmission could • People can reconnect with friends and family, go shopping, or • Businesses can open to the public, but must follow public health guidance
be occurring. travel domestically, but should follow public health guidance. including in relation to physical distancing and contact tracing. Alternative
• Physical distancing of two metres from people you don’t know when ways of working encouraged where possible (e.g. remote working, shift-
• Single or isolated cluster
The disease is contained, outbreaks. out in public is recommended, with one metre physical distancing in
controlled environments like workplaces unless other measures are
based working, physical distancing, staggering meal breaks, flexible leave).
• It is safe to send your children to schools, early learning services and
but the risk of community in place.
• No more than 100 people at indoor or outdoor gatherings.
tertiary education. There will be appropriate measures in place.
• People at higher-risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (e.g. those with
transmission remains • Sport and recreation activities are allowed, subject to conditions on
gatherings, contact tracing, and – where practical – physical distancing.
underlying medical conditions, especially if not well-controlled, and
seniors) are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving
• Public venues can open but must comply with public health measures. home. They may work, if they agree with their employer that they can
• Health and disability care services operate as normally as possible. do so safely.
Level 1 – Prepare
• COVID-19 is uncontrolled overseas. • Border entry measures to minimise risk of importing COVID-19 cases. • No restrictions on gatherings.
• Isolated household transmission • Intensive testing for COVID-19. • Stay home if you’re sick, report flu-like symptoms.
could be occurring in New Zealand. • Rapid contact tracing of any positive case. • Wash and dry hands, cough into elbow, don’t touch your face.
The disease is contained • Self-isolation and quarantine required. • No restrictions on domestic transport – avoid public transport
or travel if sick.
• Schools and workplaces open, and must operate safely.
in New Zealand • Physical distancing encouraged.
United Against COVID-19 A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2 3
KEEP YOUR WORKPLACE CLEAN TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES FOR YOUR WORKPLACE
Personal and workplace hygiene
To mitigate the risk of spreading the virus, it is important to share with your team the importance Protect yourself Protect yourself Protect yourself
and others from and others from and others from
of adhering to strict hygiene protocols: COVID-19 www.unitedfresh.co.nz COVID-19 www.unitedfresh.co.nz COVID-19 www.unitedfresh.co.nz
• Regularly and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or cleaning Take these simple steps to help Keep a physical distance Washing your hands kills the virus
stop the spread of the virus
with alcohol-based hand sanitiser (see Hand Washing Protocol poster) Wet Soap
• Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is most useful if there is limited access to soap and water,
but hands must still be regularly washed
1 metre apart
• Disposable gloves should be changed regularly and good hand washing hygiene maintained Wash your hands with soap Cough or sneeze into your Clean and disinfect
from others
Wet your hands under
clean running water.
Use warm water if available.
Soap and scrub backs of hands,
wrists, between fingers,
under fingernails for 20 seconds.
and water often (for at least elbow or by covering your frequently touched surfaces and
at work
• Avoid touching your face to reduce risk of transferring virus from contaminated surfaces
20 seconds). Then dry. mouth and nose with tissues. objects, such as doorknobs.
Rinse Dry
• Covering mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Dispose of used tissue immediately into covered rubbish bin
• Maintain 2 metres between yourself and your colleagues at all times Don’t touch your eyes, nose or
mouth if your hands are not clean.
Put used tissues in the
bin or a bag immediately.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
Rinse all the soap off under
clean running water.
Use warm water if available.
Dry your hands all over for 20 seconds.
Using a paper towel is best or,
if at home, a clean dry towel.
• Ask your team to avoid close personal contact including handshaking Unite against Covid-19 Unite against Covid-19 Unite against Covid-19
Find out more at Find out more at Find out more at
• Remove communal magazines and books etc. from all parts of your business including www.covid19.govt.nz www.covid19.govt.nz www.covid19.govt.nz
reception and lunchrooms
Workplace cleaning
• Increase the general cleaning frequency and depth. Use detergent then sanitise
CLEANING CHECKLIST
• High touch areas such as light switches and door handles, lunch tables should be cleaned In the workplace we all need to do what we can to stop the spread of COVID-19.
after each break during the day Keep your workplace clean at all times. Clean and Disinfect all surfaces and focus on
• Use approved food grade chemicals, ideally a combined cleaners and sanitiser frequently touched surfaces as below:
• Where a positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed, advice should be taken from the
government COVID-19 website regarding deep cleaning protocols Desks and tabletops
• Mobiles and landlines should not be shared and should be cleaned and sanitised regularly
Computers, keyboards and mouse
Physical distancing
• Please keep your physical distance, to help protect yourself and others Door and cupboard handles
• Do not have physical contact with anyone who isn’t isolating with you
• Physical distance means keeping 2 metres apart from others Window latches
Light switches
Bathroom including toilets, basins, taps, etc
SANITISER AND SOAP Remotes
New Zealand is currently experiencing unprecedented demand for hand sanitiser. If you
do not have sanitiser washing your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds Kitchen surfaces and appliances – jugs, microwaves, fridges, etc
works just as well.
Clean air-conditioning units
United Against COVID-19 A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2 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:
https://worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/workplace-
preparedness-for-novel-coronavirus
United Against COVID-19 A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2 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/
For up-to-date advice from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ about operating during
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR NEW ZEALANDERS ALERT LEVEL 2 visit their website.
INCLUDING BUSINESSES
For up-to-date advice from the Ministry of Health go to
A $12.1 billion package to support New Zealanders, their jobs and businesses from the impact https://covid19.govt.nz or phone 0800 358 5453
of COVID-19 was announced on 17th March 2020 by the Finance Minister which includes wage
subsidies and leave support. New Zealand Ministry of Health
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
For more information, fact sheets and to apply for support visit
https://workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/covid-19-support.html#null New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre
https://www.nzfssrc.org.nz/node/154
The $12.1 billion package includes:
• Initial $500 million boost for health Employment New Zealand
https://www.employment.govt.nz/about/news-and-updates/workplace-response-coronavirus-
• $5.1 billion in wage subsidies for affected businesses in all sectors and regions, available from covid-19/
today
Business.govt
• $126 million in COVID-19 leave and self-isolation support https://www.business.govt.nz/news/coronavirus-information-for-businesses/
• $2.8 billion income support package for our most vulnerable, including a permanent $25 per week
benefit increase and a doubling of the Winter Energy Payment for 2020 World Health Organisation
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
• $100 million redeployment package
• $2.8 billion in business tax changes to free up cashflow, including a provisional tax threshold lift, United Fresh New Zealand Inc.
the reinstatement of building depreciation and writing off interest on the late payment of tax https://www.unitedfresh.co.nz/technical-advisory-group/covid-19
• $600 million initial aviation support package
Horticulture New Zealand has information and resources specifically for New Zealand Growers,
https://www.hortnz.co.nz/news-events-and-media/media-releases/covid-19-update-for-horticulture/
Read more here
Search United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated to connect with us on
www.unitedfresh.co.nz info@unitedfresh.co.nz 0800 507 555
United Against COVID-19 A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2 6
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