Alert Level 3 for Workplaces and Businesses (from MPI)

Workplaces and businesses

At Alert Level 3, there are restrictions to keep workers safe, limit interaction with customers and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We recommend staff

working from home if they can.

Golden Rules for businesses at Alert Level 3

• If your business requires close physical contact it cannot operate.

• We recommend your staff work from home if they can.

• Businesses need to display a QR code and have an alternative contact tracing system. We recommend making sure people either scan in or provide their contact details.

• Customers cannot come onto your premises — unless you are a supermarket, dairy, butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, petrol station, pharmacy or permitted health service.

• Your business legally must be contactless. Your customers can pay online, over the phone or in a contactless way. Delivery or pick-up legally must also be contactless.

• Basic hygiene measures legally must be maintained. Physical distancing, hand washing and regularly cleaning surfaces. Workers legally must stay home if they are sick.

• Staff legally must remain a minimum of 1 metre apart at all times where practical. Other measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) including face coverings, we recommend being used where appropriate.

• Different advice applies to essential healthcare workers, border agencies, courts and tribunal staff, first responders and corrections staff. You can get further advice from the Ministry of Health(external link).

• You legally must meet all other health and safety obligations.

Keeping employees and customers safe

Our business legally must be contactless. Your customers can pay online, over the phone or in a contactless way. Delivery or pick-up legally must also be contactless.

Customers cannot come onto your premises — unless you are a:

• supermarket

• dairy

• butcher

• fishmonger

• greengrocer

• petrol station

• pharmacy

• a health service

• bank or financial institution — in person customer transactions can only happen if online or phone banking options are not possible.

• hardware or DIY store— these can open to trade customers only.

Customers cannot eat or drink on your premises.

If you own or run a business where staff cannot wo

home, make sure:

• employees keep 1 metre apart.

• you provide hygiene and cleaning products so workers can clean and disinfect shared surfaces, and wash and dry their hands.

• you display your QR code and have an alternative contact tracing system for people who cannot access a smartphone.

Businesses that cannot open at Alert Level 3

• Farmers markets

• Nightclubs

• Entertainment and tourist facilities — for example, museums, cinemas, libraries and outdoor adventure activity operators

• Hairdressers and beauty salons

• Gyms and exercise facilities

• In-home cleaners

• Door to door sales

• Driving instructors