COVID-19 Guidance
updated 4 September 2024
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COVID-19 Guidance
With a highly vaccinated population and increased access to antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19, public health experts have said it is safe to remove most COVID-19 rules. However, we know that it’s still a worrying time for many of you. COVID-19 might not be featured as much in the media anymore but it is still very present in our communities. We are updating this page as information comes, to help you to look after yourself and your loved ones if help is needed.
Long COVID Guidelines
The Ministry of Health have released Long COVID guidelines for health professionals, individuals and those caring for people with long COVID. More info here. For info on Long COVID symptoms and management, go here.
Studies show that around 10–20% of people infected by COVID-19 may go on to develop long COVID. This means there may be some 200,000 individuals impacted by long COVID in Aotearoa New Zealand. A Long COVID registry has been set up in response. To register or to find out more, go to the Long COVID Registry Aotearoa New Zealand.
Testing positive for COVID-19
- We encourage having a supply of rapid antigen tests (RATs) as part of your household first aid kit. Testing is an important step for managing the virus, and keeping our communities safe. To order free RATs, go here.
- For further info: COVID Welfare Response line, 0800 512 337 and regional triage teams are available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, and Saturday 8am-1pm.
Recommendations for those with COVID-19
- People who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for at least 5 days, even if they only have mild symptoms, starting at Day 0. Some people can still be infectious for up to 10 days, so it is recommended they wear a mask if they need to visit a healthcare facility, aged residential care facility or have contact with anyone at risk of getting seriously unwell with COVID-19.
- Day 0 is the day symptoms started or when they tested positive, whichever came first.
- Isolation means not going to work or school.
- If people are still unwell after they have completed 5 days of isolation, it is recommended they stay home until they are recovered. They should not visit a healthcare facility (except to access health care), aged residential care facility or have contact with anyone at risk of getting seriously unwell with COVID-19.
For more info on what this means for you, Te Whatu Ora have created info sheets –
FAQs – Changes to COVID-19 settings
Key messages to support changes in COVID-19
Funding Guidance for Community Pharmacy Model of Care for COVID-19
Funding Guidance for Primary Care Model of Care for COVID-19
If you have COVID-19 and your symptoms get worse or you need urgent medical care, call your local healthcare provider or Healthline on 0800 358 5453. For further info: Unite against COVID-19.
If you’ve had COVID-19 it’s recommended to wait 6 months after testing positive before getting a booster.
Book through Book My Vaccine on 0800 28 29 26, or via your primary care provider. People aged 30 or over, or those at higher risk of severe illness, are also eligible for an additional booster, regardless of how many they’ve had previously.
Testing, vaccination, and hospital level care is free. Check with your healthcare provider regarding other COVID-19 related visits: you may be eligible for free healthcare.
Antiviral medications
If you’re at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and your RAT is positive, report your result immediately in My COVID Record to get the help you need as early as possible. Your GP or a COVID-19 Care in the Community hub will then contact you and may offer COVID-19 antiviral medicine, which can help you get better sooner, and prevent serious illness.
Antiviral medicines can be prescribed within the first 5 days of COVID-19 symptoms starting, and are more effective the sooner they are taken. If you’re very unwell, or you haven’t been contacted within 24 hours of reporting your RAT result, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453. COVID-19 antiviral medicines are free for people eligible under Pharmac’s access criteria. Included are:
- Māori or Pacific people aged 50 years or older
- everyone aged 65 years and older
- anyone aged 50 years or older with fewer than two COVID-19 vaccinations
- anyone with a severely weakened immune system
- anyone with Down syndrome
- anyone with sickle cell disease
- anyone previously in critical or high dependency hospital care from COVID-19
- anyone with three or more high-risk medical conditions.
More info on the criteria and the list of high-risk medical conditions: COVID-19 Health Hub.
- Download the COVID-19 antivirals testing centre flyer
- Download COVID-19 antivirals community posters
- Antivirals factsheet
- Antivirals factsheets in Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Chinese (simplified) and Cook Islands Māori
- Explainer video on COVID-19 antiviral medicines
COVID-19 Vaccine Booking Information
Click on this link to take you to a booking page. It’s a good idea to have your National Health Index (NHI) number handy. You don’t need it in order to book but it will speed up the process. If you need help with booking, contact Vaccination Helpline on 0800 28 29 26 or booking@vaccine.covid19.health.nz. Information in alternate formats and other languages are available here
COVID-19 Information for carers
COVID-19 information from the Ministry of Health that is specific to those who look after a sick or disabled person. Further information for family, whānau and āiga carers is available to download here.
PPE Guidance
Information on PPE here. Or download guidelines regarding gloves, masks, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) used by community care providers (includes aged residential care, aged-related community care, disability, hospice, and homecare).
Services and Support
Info on government services which include temporary accommodation, mental health, social service providers, is available here.
Foodbanks
If you are unable to get a grant from Work and Income, you may be able to get an emergency supply of groceries (ie a food parcel) from a local food bank. These are run by charities and rely on donations of fresh and packaged foods.
It is important to know that there is usually an intake process involved.
For example, depending on the food bank you may need the following:
Referral letter from WINZ, a budgeting service, church, CAB or bank statement showing that you are on a low income, in order to meet eligibility criteria and / or to show that you are getting budgeting help / proof of identity and/or address.
Please also note, you may be limited to a certain number of food parcels per year.
COVID-19 Accessible Information
Dedicated COVID-19 disability helpline: call free on 0800 11 12 13 or text 8988 if you need help or info. You can access this helpline using the NZ Relay Service if you need assistance or more information: www.nzrelay.co.nz Facebook – disability helpline UAC
Downloadable resources
Portal | COVID-19 Resource Toolkit (covid19.govt.nz)
COVID-19 | Health Navigator NZ
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