Changes to manage NZ Omicron outbreak
As you know, all of New Zealand is now at Red following the confirmed community spread of Omicron. On 26 January, the Government provided more information about how it intends to manage the spread of Omicron in the community, through a three-phase approach:
- ‘Stamp it out’ - slow the start of the outbreak
- Slow the spread of the outbreak
- Minimise the widespread outbreak.
For the currently available detail, please read the Covid19.govt.nz update or read the Government's media release.
In the Government’s briefing, ‘keeping critical workers going through the outbreak’ was emphasised and ‘food supply and infrastructure’ (such as ‘electricity’) were mentioned as critical.
In the briefing, the Government emphasised that its approach to managing Omicron will ‘evolve’, including the management of close contacts as case numbers increase. The Government said that Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) would be used to support the return to work of workers in critical industries and sectors during Phases 2 and 3. It said that more information about how to order RAT tests ‘from a Ministry of Health online portal would be made available in the coming days and weeks’.
What you can do right now
Packhouses and orchards should continue to ensure all necessary protocols are followed. As a reminder, these include:
- masks being worn at all times in the packhouse and when people cannot safely socially distance
- strict workplace bubbles being isolated from each other
- record keeping of staff and bubble movements and contacts
- sign in and vaccine pass protocols being followed
- and having a fully vaccinated workforce and encouraging them to get their boosters.
Advice from businesses whose staff have been infected with Covid is clear. If you are operating completely separate worker bubbles, have excellent record keeping and can provide Ministry of Health and District Health Board staff with confidence, it is likely that you will be required to standdown only a minimum number of staff.
Some businesses are also regularly testing their staff. We suggest that where possible this practice is maintained. However, a complicating factor will be PCR and saliva test result turnaround times will increase as Omicron spreads, and there could be a shortage of RAT tests.
This situation is why we are advocating for the Government to allow the private importation of RAT tests, so they can be used for monitoring as well as return to work decisions.
Further information and support
For further information see:
- Summerfruit NZ portal – Main Menu / Covid-19
- HortNZ - Covid 19 page
- Business.govt.nz - Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Also, if you would like specific advice, please contact Summerfruit NZ staff.