Coronavirus: New Zealand has a threat system, here’s how it works and how it will affect you

New Zealand’s system to manage the threat of coronavirus, or Covid-19, is a bit like the system we currently use to assess fire risks or terror threats.

As the threat level rises, increasingly severe measures are rolled out to combat the spread of the virus.

Those measures are restrictive and they affect many, if not every, part of our daily lives, from whether or not people can travel within the country, to how close you’re allowed to sit next to people on a bus.

The threat levels range from one to four, with four being the most severe. Importantly, the threat levels can apply to the whole country or to specific regions depending on what is happening on the ground.

Coronavirus alert levels

Alert level 1 – prepare The disease is contained

RISK ASSESSMENT:

• Heightened risk of importing Covid-19 or
• Sporadic imported cases or
• Isolated household transmission associated with imported cases 

RANGE OF MEASURES:

• Border entry measures to minimise risk of importing coronavirus cases applied
• Contact tracing
• Stringent self-isolation and quarantine
• Intensive testing for coronavirus
• Physical distancing encouraged
• Mass gatherings over 500 cancelled
• Stay home if you’re sick, report flu-like symptoms
• Wash and dry hands, cough into elbow, don’t touch your face

Alert level 2 – reduceThe disease is contained, but risks of community transmission are growing

RISK ASSESSMENT:

• High risk of importing Covid-19 or
• Increase in imported cases or
• Increase in household transmission or
• Single isolated cluster outbreak

RANGE OF MEASURES:

• Entry border measures maximised
• Further restrictions on mass gatherings
• Physical distancing on public transport (leave the next seat empty if you can)
• Limit non-essential travel around New Zealand
• Employers start alternative ways of working if possible -ie: work from home, physical distancing in workplace, shift-based working, staggering meal breaks, flexible leave arrangements
• Business continuity plans activated
• High-risk people – ie: those over 70 or with medical conditions – advised to remain at home

Alert level 3 – restrictThere’s a heightened risk the disease is not contained

RISK ASSESSMENT:

• Community transmission occurring or
• Multiple clusters break out

RANGE OF MEASURES:

• Travel in areas with clusters or community transmission limited
• Affected educational facilities closed
• Mass gatherings cancelled
• Public venues closed (ie: libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, amusement parks)
• Alternative ways of working required and some non-essential businesses should close
• Non face-to-face primary care consultations
• Non acute (elective) services and procedures in hospitals deferred and healthcare staff re-prioritised

Alert level 4 – eliminateIt’s likely that the disease is not contained

RISK ASSESSMENT:

• Sustained and intensive transmission
• Widespread outbreaks

RANGE OF MEASURES:

• People instructed to stay at home
• Educational facilities closed
• Businesses closed except for essential services (ie: supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics and lifeline utilities)
• Rationing of supplies and requisitioning of facilities
• Travel severely limited
• Major reprioritisation of health services