Important update from Wakatū Chair Paul Morgan
Tēnā tātou katoa ki ngā whānau whānui o Wakatū,
As many of you will be aware, Aotearoa has entered into Alert Level 4 as of midnight last night for three days. The Auckland and Coromandel areas have entered into Alert Level 4 for a period of seven days, to be reviewed after three days.
This will be a difficult and challenging time for many of our whānau, especially those living in those directly affected areas, but I would like to express my confidence in our ability as a whānau to overcome this challenging time, as we have done in the past.
The management of Wakatū Group have met this morning to discuss the pathway forward over the short term for our kaimahi and operations. It has been decided that we take a cautious and common sense approach in the short-term, having all staff who are able, to work from home, and those whose roles do not enable them to do that, will stay home on special COVID leave over the course of these three days.
Of paramount importance to us is the safety of our people, and our team is working hard to ensure that any essential business operations and roles that must continue during this time, will be carried out in accordance and compliance with advice from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
In order to keep both our whānau whānui and kaimahi safe, the decision has been made to close visitor access to all Wakatū and Kono business sites while in Alert Level 4, including Wakatū House.
As this situation develops further, we will make sure we keep you connected and in the know via pānui and also on our Wakatū Incorporation Facebook page. Below you will find information on how to take care of yourselves and your whānau during Alert Level 4, courtesy of the Ministry of Health.
Kia manawanui,
Paul Morgan
Chair, Wakatū Board
Everyone must stay home
The most important thing you can do right now to protect whānau is stay at home – he noho kāinga, he oranga tangata.
The only reasons you can leave home are to shop for groceries, access necessary healthcare, get a COVID-19 test, exercise, or go to work if you are working in an Alert Level 4 service.
Please only make physical contact with those who you live with. This means hongi, harirū, and awhi with people outside your bubble should be suspended.
Kaua e āwangawanga, during this time, you will still be able to access all the essentials you need.
If you feel māuiui, do not go outside. Call Healthline or your GP to ask for medical advice.
Public spaces that must close
All public facilities must close. This includes bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries, and playgrounds.
Indoor and outdoor events cannot go ahead. This includes social gatherings, hui, birthdays, tangihanga, and weddings.
Education
All schools and early childhood education centres are closed. Schools will be providing information directly to all parents about what this means for them.
Where possible, Alert Level 4 workers with children aged 0 to 14 need to make their own arrangements for childcare. However, we know this will not be possible for everyone.
Alternative arrangements are in place to allow Alert Level 4 workers to access childcare and continue to work. Your employer will let you know if you qualify as an Alert Level 4 worker for these purposes.
Alert Level 4 services
Rubbish collection will continue. Check your local authority's website for recycling.
NZ Post will deliver mail and courier drivers will continue to make deliveries.
Self-service laundries can stay open if 2-metre physical distancing is enforced.
Service stations will remain open and will be supplied.
Meeting friends and whānau
If you live alone, you may arrange with another person living alone or a household to be part of your household bubble. Heoi anō, they must be in the same town or city.
Tamariki can travel between the homes of separated parents so as long as they live in the same town/city.
It’s also okay for you to drop off groceries to others, but please drop the groceries at the door. Always keep a 2-metre distance.
Funerals and tangihanga
We acknowledge that this will be a challenging time for you and your whānau, especially if you are grieving.
Funeral directors can continue working at Alert Level 4. However, coming together for tangihanga is not permitted at Alert Level 4.
Only people from the same bubble as the deceased person can go to the funeral home and cemetery with the tūpāpaku, and only if these are in the same region. Kōrero with your funeral director about specific arrangements, including how to keep your physical distance.
If you ever feel you are not coping, it is important to talk with a health professional. For support, you can call or text 1737. It's free, anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to talk with a trained counsellor.
Accessing healthcare
You can still get medical help if you need it. This includes healthcare services, such as Healthline, GPs, cancer services, disability and aged support services. If you need to see a doctor or other medical professional, make sure to phone first.
Please only call Healthline if you or someone you know feels māuiui or you need medical advice, rather than general questions about COVID-19. It's important Healthline is free to answer calls from those who need it.
If you cannot get through and are severely unwell, for example having trouble breathing, contact emergency services (call 111).
Transport and travel
At Alert Level 4, all types of transport and travel are restricted. Only travel for essential reasons, such as to get food or medicine, or to go to work if you are an Alert Level 4 worker, is allowed. Public transport, taxis, and ride-sharing services for transport will still be available.
If you are away from home when New Zealand moves to Alert Level 4, you have up to 48 hours to travel home. However, please try and get home as soon as possible.
Exercise and recreation
It’s okay for you and your bubble to go for a walk, run or bike ride. If you do go exercising, it must be solitary, or with those in your bubble. Make sure to keep a 2-metre distance from everyone else.
Please do not do activities that may require search and rescue services. For example, don’t go swimming, surfing, boating, hunting, or tramping.
Update on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout
To limit the movement of whānau during Level 4, the vaccination programme will pause for all of Aotearoa for an initial period of 48 hours.
This means that all vaccination centres in Aotearoa will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday and appointments are cancelled – people who have appointments on these days will hear from us soon to provide information on rebooking. You will be contacted by text, email or phone call.
For more information on Alert Level 4 visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
We also want to remind you and your whānau to get information on COVID-19 and the vaccine from our trusted sources – the Ministry of Health and Unite Against COVID channels.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the team at: maorihealth@health.govt.nz
