Be ready.

We’re still at Alert Level 1.

Here are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions: Why are we still at Alert Level 1?

Alert Level 1 needs to remain in place as long as the virus remains contained in New Zealand, but uncontained outside our borders. At Alert Level 1 our borders are being tightly managed but New Zealanders are still able to return home. Please see: covid19.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border

What’s the purpose of Alert Level 1?

Alert Level 1 is about being prepared. We all need to be ready in case COVID-19 reappears in the community.

What do I need to do at Alert Level 1?

The three things we can all do to be ready are:

1. If you’re sick, stay home and call your doctor or Healthline for advice

If you have cold or flu symptoms you should stay home, and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or phone your doctor for advice. Please comply with any advice you receive from your doctor or public health officials, and get tested if you are asked to.

Symptoms include: a cough, a high temperature of at least 38°C, shortness of breath, sore throat, sneezing and runny nose or temporary loss of smell.

If you have any of these symptoms it doesn’t necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other more common illnesses, such as colds and flu.

2. Practise good hygiene

Wash your hands often with soap, then dry.

Use hand sanitiser. Cough or sneeze into your elbow. These simple health precautions are incredibly effective in stopping the spread of the virus.

3. Keep track of your movements

Use the NZ COVID Tracer app if you can, otherwise use whatever method works for you to keep track of where you went, when, and who you met.

If the virus reappears in the community, this will help our health services to quickly trace close contacts and break the chain of transmission. And if you use NZ COVID Tracer, it’s a lot easier for health officials to notify you about any risk of exposure.

Why do I need to record where I’ve been if there’s no COVID-19 in the community?

In addition to our border restrictions, it’s important to have a second line of defence inside the country.

We all sacrificed a lot at Alert Levels 3 and 4, and we want to continue to keep our communities safe and minimise the risk of another lockdown.

Why is good hygiene still so important?

The COVID-19 pandemic still exists outside New Zealand’s borders, but no border is 100% failsafe. Good hygiene is a simple precaution we can all take, with a big effect – because it stops the spread of COVID-19 by breaking the chain of transmission.

It also has the added benefit of stopping the spread of seasonal flu and colds too – so it’s a win-win.