‘WE WILL FIGHT THE VIRUS’

Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced a $12.1 billion economic support package, with nearly half being used to pay impacted workers. Eligible full-time staff will receive $585 per week.

Benefits will be raised and health spending will get a $500 million boost as the Government promises more during May’s Budget.

It came as four new cases of coronavirus were announced — a Wellington father and son who had travelled to the US, a Dunedin man who had travelled to Germany and his high school-aged son.

The latter diagnosis saw Logan Park High School announce it would be closed for at least 48 hours.

New Zealand now has 12 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

The Government is kicking out three ‘completely irresponsible’ travellers who failed to selfisolate after arriving here. Police officers took a woman away from a Christchurch hostel.

Community and club rugby and netball competitions have been cancelled along with a host of events.

Healthline

(0800 358 5453) People who become sick within a month of travelling overseas should ring Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or their doctor. Do not travel straight to a GP or hospital — get medical advice on the phone first. However do NOT ring Healthline for non-urgent matters such as health updates — check the Ministry of Health’s website or nzherald.co.nz for the latest news.

Travel restrictions

Every person entering New Zealand from anywhere in the world except the Pacific — including NZ citizens and residents — is required to self-isolate for 14 days. The restrictions will be reviewed on March 30.

Any foreigners coming from China or Iran are barred from entering the country.

Cruise ships have been banned from entering NZ until June 30.

The Government is recommending New Zealanders avoid all nonessential travel overseas.

People who have travelled outside of NZ in the past 14 days will not be permitted to fly to the Pacific. There will also be no travel for close or casual contacts of a confirmed coronavirus case or for anyone who is symptomatic.

Cargo ships and planes, as well as their crew, are exempt from these restrictions.

Self-isolation

If you have travelled and need to get home, the official advice is to try to avoid public transport, taxis and ridesharing apps like Uber. But if you must use public transport, avoid rush hour and, where possible, sit in a window seat in a row by yourself. If you are unwell, seek advice before you travel.

Limit your contact with people other than the family members/ companions you travelled with. You should avoid having visitors to your home, but it is okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food.

Minimise close contact by avoiding situations where you may have faceto-face contact closer than 1m for more than 15 minutes. Others in the household do not need to self-isolate provided these precautions are followed.

You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, pillows or other items with other people in your home. After using these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water, place them in the dishwasher for cleaning or wash them in your washing machine.

If possible, use a separate bathroom.

Penalties

New Zealanders who refuse to self-isolate when required could be placed in a medical facility and have a police officer placed at their door to prevent escape.

People on visitor visas can be deported under the Immigration Act.

General health tips

While travelling, make sure you use hand sanitiser regularly.

If you need to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth or nose, or you can cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Make sure you have essential foods and medicines in case you need to self-isolate for two weeks — but don’t panic buy, get only what you need.

Mass gatherings

Gatherings of 500 or more people held outdoors or indoors have been cancelled. This applies to sport, entertainment and religious gatherings. It does not include schools, polytechnics and universities. Further guidance on public gatherings will be announced later this week.

Going out

Official advice is that you can go out to bars, restaurants and shops as normal but practise “social distancing”. The rule, according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, is: “If you’re close enough for someone to spit on you when you talk, you’re too close.”

Working from home

Employers cannot require staff to attend work if they are sick with Covid-19 or required to self-isolate. Staff can be suspended if they turn up under these circumstances.

An employer can instruct a staff member to attend work if there is no reasonable belief they will contract the disease.

A staff member in self-isolation who does not feel unwell can work from home if they are willing and able and be paid normally.

If they cannot work from home, special paid leave or other forms of paid leave can be considered.

Government assistance

Under an economic package announced yesterday, employers can claim a wage subsidy for up to 12 weeks and up to $150,000 if they have suffered a 30 per cent decline in revenue compared with last year.

The subsidy is $585 a week for fulltimers, $350 a week for part-timers and includes the self-employed.

Main social welfare benefits have been permanently increased by $25 a week and the winter energy payment has been doubled to $1400 for couples and $900 for singles.

The provisional tax threshold will be raised from April 1 from $2500 to $5000, allowing an estimated 95,000 businesses to defer tax payments and the possible waiving by Inland Revenue of interest on late payments.