No images? Click here Amanda Bleckmann, Acting Deputy Director-General, Disability Disability Directorate COVID-19 update Kia ora koutou katoa, Hello everyone. A huge thank you to you all – We know how difficult the movement into lockdown can be, but we also know that people understand why it is so important and are doing what they can to play their part. Thank you to those of you who have been in touch, both in offering your support and also those who are seeking guidance from the Ministry. We welcome your contact and feedback. We promised earlier that we would provide more messaging, and here it is. We will keep you updated as Covid announcements continue. Remember the basic COVID-19 protocols It’s still vital that we all stick to the COVID-19 basics. If you’re unwell, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 about getting tested. If you’re out:
We’ll continue to provide you with updates as we know more. Remember to keep looking after yourselves, and your whānau – we will get through this together. Nga mihi aroha kakite ano, thanks again. Amanda Bleckmann Acting DDG Disability New cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Auckland todayAll positive cases are being transferred safely to an Auckland quarantine facility under strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the use of full PPE. The cases identified so far have been out and about, so there are a large number of locations of interest. The number of cases is expected to grow as we learn more. Public health officials are rapidly interviewing cases, identifying their close contacts, tracing those contacts, and ensuring they’re in isolation and getting tested. All of New Zealand remains at Alert Level 4 until at least 11.59pm, Friday 20 AugustThere 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. If you have been at any of these locations of interest, please follow public health advice to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested. Initial whole genome sequencing has shown case A has the Delta variant and is linked to the New South Wales outbreak. Further investigations are continuing, and the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) to determine the source of the infections in Auckland. ESR is also examining cases who have recently arrived from New South Wales to find any possible link. The Ministry of Health has not yet identified the source of these cases but is confident in the health assessment to locate the origin of the community cases. Under Level 4 face coverings will be mandatory from 11.59pm lastnightFrom 11.59 pm lastnight (Wednesday 18 August), it will be mandatory for everyone aged 12 and over to wear a face covering when they are visiting any of the Alert Level 4 services that are currently open, including supermarkets, pharmacies, healthcare facilities and service stations. It will also be a requirement for staff who work in those places where customers can enter the premises to wear a face covering – this is about ensuring those workers are protected and ensuring those who visit are too. There is already a requirement to wear a face covering on public transport and planes, this now includes places like bus terminals and taxis. At Alert Level 4, if you are in a place that is allowed to be open to provide services to people, or transport, you must wear a face covering. More information on face coverings here At alert Level 4, face coverings are mandatory: for all people at all businesses and services that involve customer contact. Wearing face coverings helps stop the spread of COVID-19Wearing 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. Where face coverings will be mandatoryFace 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:
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 cardIf you need an exemption card, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453. You can get a printable version, or a card that you can show on your phone. If these are not suitable, Healthline will talk through other options with you. 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 We all have a role to play in keeping COVID-19 out of our community.We have seen from overseas how quickly the Delta variant can spread in the community. We only get one chance, which is why it's even more important to follow the golden rules below:
If leaving the house:
Disability Services Operating at Alert Level 4 (updated from previous messages).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 costsWe 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. Vaccination UpdateVaccination centres will re-open Thursday, 19 August. They will be operating under Alert Level 4 restrictions. The Ministry will update information on the Ministry of Health website as soon as it's available. COVID-19: Vaccine information for health professionals | Ministry of Health NZ Alert Level 4 guidance for people with personal budgetsThis 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 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 Continue to stay in your BubbleAs in the previous Level 4 lockdown, your Bubble continues to be the protective shield to help prevent you from getting COVID19. In Alert Level 4, the best way to keep safe is for everyone to stay at home in their personal 'bubble'. We recommend only going out in public for essential groceries, medicines, or daily exercise and following the safety rules of physical distancing. Keep up to date with the Āwhina AppĀwhina 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 wellbeingIt’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:
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 toolsPlease 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. ResourcesKey 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.
Contact informationCall 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 ContactsIf 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
National and Regional Intellectual Disability Secure Services
Residential, Contract Board, Foster Care and Respite
Home and Community Support and Supported Living
Individualised Funding and Personal Budget Hosts, Day Services and MSD contact
Child Development Services and Autism Developmental Coordination
Equipment and Modification Services
Vision and Hearing Services
Key Stakeholder Groups: Carers and Carers Alliance
Disabled People Organisations/EGL Governance and Leadership Groups/Human Rights Commission
Maori Equity, Providers, Te Ao Marama and Whānau Ora interface Group
Pacific Equity, Providers and Favia Ora
General Contacts: Acting Deputy Director General Disability
COVID-19 Disability Lead
General Disability Enquiries Disability Directorate | Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora |