Back at Alert Level 3: rules construction businesses need to know

To provide everyone with a healthy, safe working environment and support Auckland’s wider pandemic response, it is necessary to review and update the relevant rules for Alert Level 3.

 

• Work should be carried out remotely wherever possible. Businesses are encouraged to adopt and use technology to work flexibly.
• On-site work may be permitted where remote working is not possible, provided appropriate health and safety measures are in place for workers and others involved, such as residents of buildings under construction, and physical distancing of at least 1 metre is maintained.
• Display a business contact-tracing code at the construction site and maintain contact-tracing records.
• Construction businesses may purchase products and materials from building and building-material retailers and suppliers, provided these outlets implement health and safety measures, maintain physical distancing and help prevent and control the outbreak.

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Construction site safety

Strict safety restrictions apply to construction site operations at Alert Level 3, including:

• No site access without prior arrangement;
• Portable toilets must have handwashing facilities;
• Before signing in or out of the site, wash your hands at the handwashing station or use hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds;
• Before entering the site, ensure you follow the relevant Ministry of Health guidance and use all necessary personal protective equipment;
• Visitors and delivery personnel must contact the relevant site supervisor before entering;
• Record the date and time of arrival and departure when entering and leaving the site;
• You must complete a health declaration and record every site you visit that day;
• Only one trade team is permitted on site at any time;
• Everyone on site must maintain physical distancing of more than 1 metre, both horizontally and vertically;
• Tools must not be shared;
• Cover sneezes and coughs with your elbow and avoid touching your face;
• Make sure you are familiar with the latest daily COVID-19 updates;
• If you feel unwell, stay home and notify the site supervisor immediately.

 

During New Zealand’s first lockdown last year, MZCBIA produced a Chinese-language edition of the New Zealand COVID-19 Residential and Commercial Construction Site Safety Induction (CSSI) to help Chinese construction workers understand site safety requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide comprehensive information and guidance, with an electronic version available to download here:

 

Rules for work-related travel across boundaries

Businesses whose staff need to travel into or out of Auckland for work must nominate someone to apply for an exemption on their behalf to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). This person may be the business owner, a manager or an administrator, but must have a thorough understanding of the business’s travel requirements, including the travellers’ details, their routes and the boundaries they need to cross, and the purpose and importance of the travel.

Remember, employees cannot register directly themselves; the business must apply.

 

• Choosing a travel category

There are 6 categories of permitted business travel across areas subject to pandemic restrictions. Make sure you understand the differences and apply under the correct category.

 

Transit

Employees need to pass through an Alert Level 3 area for work. For example, they may need to travel from Whangārei to Hamilton via Auckland.

Employee commuting

Key personnel essential to the business’s operations need to cross a boundary to commute to work; or a substantial proportion of staff need to cross a boundary to ensure the minimum staffing required for operations.

Repeated return trips

Business personnel who need to cross a boundary regularly for work.

One-way travel out of an Alert Level 3 area

Employees need to cross a boundary only once to leave an Alert Level 3 area.

 

One-way travel into an Alert Level 3 area

Employees need to cross a boundary only once to enter an Alert Level 3 area.

A single return trip

Employees need to cross a boundary to carry out an essential business task and will return immediately afterwards.

 

• How to register and apply

 

To register and apply for cross-boundary travel, you will need:

• A RealMe login — if you do not have one, register for RealMe first;
• The purpose of the travel;
• Details of the boundaries employees are expected to cross;
• The travel category for the employees;
• The names of all employees covered by the exemption application.

 

Log in or register with MBIE’s Business Connect to complete your cross-boundary travel application. After submitting your request, you will receive an automated email confirming receipt. Police may check identification to verify the purpose of travel, so ensure you provide accurate personal details in the application.

 

• Obtaining and using travel exemption documents

 

If your business type is on the list of permitted businesses, you will receive an automated notification to download the relevant travel documents. Each person’s document will include:

 

Their name and identification number;

Business details and business category;

The reason for travel;

The travel category and specific boundary-crossing details;

A QR code for boundary checkpoint staff to scan.

 

If your business type is not on the permitted list, the application will be reviewed by the Director-General of Health, and you will receive an email with the outcome. If approved, you can log back into the system to download the travel documents.

When travelling, drivers should display the document prominently on the dashboard so boundary checkpoint staff can identify it. Every passenger must carry and show their travel document to checkpoint staff, either as a printed copy or stored on a smartphone.

For the original English information, see the relevant government webpage: https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/business-travel-across-alert-level-boundaries

 

With the successful experience gained during the previous two lockdowns, we believe Chinese-owned businesses can support one another, once again overcome the challenges of the pandemic and welcome boundless opportunities.