Amanda Bleckmann, Acting Deputy Director-General, Disability

Disability Directorate COVID-19 update

as of 9:30am, 20 August 2021

Kia ora koutou katoa, Hello everyone.  

All of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 4 until at least 11.59pm, Friday 20 August, this means we will continue with the Level 4 protocols already in place. There will be further announcements later today from the Prime Minister at the 3 pm media stand-up, and we will aim to get an update from us to you as soon as possible. 

Remember the basic COVID-19 protocols  

Possible source of the community cases identified  

Whole genome sequencing of some of the community cases has revealed they are a close match to a recent returnee from New South Wales (NSW).   

The person arrived on a managed return flight on 7 August, was tested and returned a positive result on 9 August. They were transferred to Jet Park that same day but subsequently became unwell and were moved to Middlemore Hospital on 16 August.  
   
This information provides a strong lead in identifying how this outbreak may have started.  

However, people should expect case numbers to continue to increase before they taper and need to be prepared for this. It is good news a likely source has been identified, meaning the ability to circle the virus, lock it down and stamp it out has greatly improved.  

Meanwhile, a number of new cases of COVID-19 in the community have been identified in the Auckland region.  

All cases are being transferred safely to an isolation facility, under strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the use of full PPE.  

The Delta variant is highly infectious. 

If you feel unwell, get a test 

Any person who has visited a location of interest at the relevant time may have been exposed and must immediately isolate and arrange a test by contacting Healthline on 0800 358 5453.  

There are several locations of interest which continue to be updated regularly. Check the Ministry of Health website to find out dates, times and locations of interest.  

An additional Section 70 notice is in place that applies to any person who is a household contact of a person who has attended the locations of interest or who has been classified as a contact.  

If a person has visited a location of interest at the relevant time, their household contacts will need to isolate at home until the person has received a negative day 5 test or until after an earlier negative test, if contact between the two people has ceased.  

If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.  

 

COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use for 12-15 year olds  

From Friday morning, when parents or guardians book their COVID-19 vaccine, they must also book in a vaccination for any 12 - 15-year old's in their whānau.  

Bookings can be made by visiting BookMyVaccine.nz  

Young people aged 12 – 15 years will be able to access the vaccine through a variety of ways most convenient to them and their family/whānau, for example:  

·        At their general practice or community pharmacy  

·        At a community vaccination centre  

·        At other community-based sites such as faith-based locations or marae  

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our whānau. The more of us who are vaccinated in our community, the greater our immunity. 

 

Vaccines continue to roll-out across the country. 

A phased approach to reopening vaccination sites with Level 4 protocols in place has begun. This enables everyone to stay safe while we vaccinate. 

More than 2.61 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to date (to 11.59pm on 18 August). Of these, 1.65 million are first doses and 954,000 are second doses. 

 

Travelling to work at Alert Level 4

Health and Disability Workers are an Alert Level 4 business or service. You can find out more detail at Doing business at Alert Level 4 | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)

It’s important that Alert Level 4 businesses and services:

·        follow government advice about doing business at Alert Level 4

·        follow Ministry of Health advice about managing the risk of COVID-19 at work

If your employees need to go into the premises or work on site, they can use public transport to commute.   

Employees may be asked to show who they work for so they can prove they have a reason to travel. We recommend you provide your employees with a letter to confirm:

·        their name

·        that they are providing an Alert Level 4 business or service

·        the address of your workplace.

Everyone legally must wear a face covering on all public transport, including at departure points such as train stations and bus stops unless they have an exemption.

 

Wearing face coverings helps stop the spread of COVID-19  

Wearing a face covering helps keep you and others safe. For some disabled people, wearing a face covering can be a challenge. The current exemptions for disabled people who cannot wear face covering will continue. This exemption does not include a disabled person's support worker or whānau.  

At alert Level 4, face coverings are mandatory: for all people at all businesses and services that involve customer contact. 

Where face coverings will be mandatory 

Face coverings are to help reinforce physical distancing, not replace it. Face coverings are already mandatory on airlines and public transport across all alert levels. If you are using any of the following services during Level 4, then you must use a face covering:   

·        on public transport and at departure points e.g., train stations and bus stops, on flights, in a taxi or rideshare vehicles (drivers and passengers)  

·        visiting healthcare facilities; and  

·        Using any Level 4 businesses and services still open involving customer contact, including supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations.  

Current exemptions for face coverings remain, including for people under the age of 12 or people with a physical, issues related to mental health or a disability that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable.  

Get an exemption card 

If you need an exemption card, call the Disabled Persons Assembly NZ on 04 801 9100 

You can get a printable version, or a card that you can show on your phone. 

If you prefer, you can download a card from the Disabled Persons Assembly NZ, or contact them on 04 801 9100 or at info@dpa.org.nz 

Download exemption card for face coverings here 

 

Previous Messages

Disability Services Operating at Alert Level 4

If services can be provided (including digitally) within alert level restrictions, they are contractually required to do so.  

Aged residential care and disability residential care are essential services and must continue to be available.   

Essential personal care services, such as toileting, washing and feeding, should be provided as usual. 

Essential home help, such as house cleaning, is or should be available where appropriate PPE is used. 

Planned respite services will be suspended, but urgent respite care may be provided. We can provide some flexibility for paying secondary carers for respite. 

Essential supported living services can continue. 

Support persons are permitted under right 8 of the Health and Disability Code.  

For aged residential care, hospices and disability residential care, family visits are not permitted.  

Under Alert Level 4 there are no exemptions for end-of-life visits. 

For more details about Alert Level 4, see: Alert Level 4 | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz) 

 

Surety payments and extraordinary costs 

We have engaged with New Zealand Disability Support Network, and we have two people from the sector providing technical expertise as we develop an approach to surety payments and extraordinary costs. We will have an update to you soon. 

 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

PPE is not needed in all interactions. Its use needs to be considered part of a range of activities that reduce the risk of transmission of infection when used correctly and in the appropriate context. 

For full guidance on PPE: Personal protective equipment use in health and disability care settings | Ministry of Health NZ 

 

Alert Level 4 guidance for people with personal budgets 

This is the latest guidance for people who are on Individualised Funding (IF), Enhanced Individualised Funding (EIF), and Enabling Good Lives / Mana Whaikaha personal budgets who employ their own support workers. 

COVID-19: Information for disabled people and their family and whānau | Ministry of Health NZ

 

Keep up to date with the Āwhina App 

Āwhina helps health workers to stay up to date on the latest information relevant to the health and disability sector and receive notifications when content is added or updated.  

You can download the Āwhina app free on your phone or tablet from the App Store (Apple users) or Google Play (Android).   

You need Apple IOS 9 (2015) and above or Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean 2012) and above. 

Please find more information here: COVID-19: Āwhina app | Ministry of Health NZ 

 

Mental health and wellbeing 

It’s really important to make sure you and your staff are safe and well. For some, the news of cases in the community may be unsettling. We encourage you to act now and take practical, proactive steps to look after your mental wellbeing – practicing helpful techniques and accessing support when you need it – we can avoid a spike in mental health distress now and in months to come. 

Access our online mental health and wellbeing information, tools and resources 

It’s a good time to remember all the things that have got us through previous lockdowns: 

·        staying connected (distance, not distant) 

·        limiting your time online 

·        having a plan! Sticking to a schedule or routine 

·        moving your body daily 

·        exploring your local neighbourhood (at an appropriate distance!) 

·        going easy on yourself - sometimes just getting through the day is a win 

The Mental Health Foundation and All Right? team have a Workplace wellbeing during COVID-19 resource, which includes a guide for leaders and also wellbeing tips for healthcare workers. Te Pou also has a number of useful resources to help support your teams. 

 

Mental wellbeing tools 

Please use and promote the Ministry’s key health messages, resources and tools. As above, these are available on our website at COVID-19: Mental health and wellbeing resources | Ministry of Health NZ 

The Getting Through Together campaign is a mental wellbeing programme focused on things we can all do to maintain our mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

There is also information and resources specifically for Māori, Pasifika, new parents, older people and other groups that might be more at risk due to the impacts of COVID-19, from the Health Promotion Agency. 

The Whakatau Mai Wellbeing Sessions are also available at www.wellbeingsessions.nz. 

 

Resources 

Key COVID-19 information in Te Reo Māori and over 33 other languages, plus accessible formats for the disabled community, is available from the Unite Against COVID-19 website. 

·        Accessible and Alternative Formats is available in NZ Sign Language, large print & audio, easy read. 

·        Information for Pacific peoples. 

·        Useful posters for your workplace or community. 

·        Financial support for individuals, whānau, foreign nationals, and businesses. 

·        Up-to-date Alert Level information 

·        Case information and numbers from the Ministry of Health 

 

Contact information 

Call Healthline if you have symptoms 0800 358 5453 

Need to talk? For mental health help, call or text 1737 

Free helpline for businesses, offering advice and access to Government business support, HR and general business advice and access to online resources and webinars. Call 0800 500 362 for North Island, or 0800 50 50 96 for South Island. 

Report issues and people or businesses not following advice to COVID-19 Compliance Centre. 

Key Disability Directorate Contacts 

If you need to speak to someone, these are the contact details for those in the Disability Directorate. 

Provider streams/service types: 

Disability Information and Advisory Services, Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination and Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination Association 

·        Doug Funnell doug.funnell@health.govt.nz  

National and Regional Intellectual Disability Secure Services 

·        Amanda Smith amanda.smith@health.govt.nz

Residential, Contract Board, Foster Care and Respite 

·        Viv Ruth, viv.ruth@health.govt.nz 

Home and Community Support and Supported Living 

·        Martin Anderson, martin.anderson@health.govt.nz 

Individualised Funding and Personal Budget Hosts, Day Services and MSD contact 

·        Christy Richards, christy.richards@health.govt.nz   

Child Development Services and Autism Developmental Coordination 

·        Ondine Claridge, ondine.claridge@health.govt.nz 

Equipment and Modification Services 

·        Cath Williams, catherine.williams@health.govt.nz 

Vision and Hearing Services 

·        Sarah Payne, sarah.payne@health.govt.nz 

Key Stakeholder Groups:

Carers and Carers Alliance 

·        Stuart Parkinson, stuart.parkinson@health.govt.nz  

Disabled People Organisations/EGL Governance and Leadership Groups/Human Rights Commission 

·        James Poskitt, james.poskitt@health.govt.nz  

Maori Equity, Providers, Te Ao Marama and Whānau Ora interface Group 

·        Noho Williams, nohopuku.williams@health.govt.nz  

Pacific Equity, Providers and Favia Ora 

·        Tofa Gush, tofa.gush@health.govt.nz 

General Contacts:

Acting Deputy Director General Disability  

·        Amanda Bleckmann, Amanda.Bleckmann@health.govt.nz  

COVID-19 Disability Lead 

·        Rāwā Karetai Wood-Bodley, rawa.karetai@health.govt.nz  

General Disability Enquiries 

·        disability@health.govt.nz 

 

Disability Directorate | Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora
🏠133 Molesworth Street, Thorndon
✉ disability@health.govt.nz
ℹ health.govt.nz/disability