While we cannot control the weather, we can control COVID-19. Here are four simple things we can all do to keep each other safe and make our summer unstoppable.

1. Scan QR codes
2. Turn on Bluetooth tracing
3. Stay home if you’re sick
4. Wash your hands

Visit the NZ Government Covid-19 website for more updates.

Stay up to date at the MetService website 

Thunderstorms are expected to develop over many central and eastern parts of the North Island today. This afternoon and evening some of these storms may be severe in the south of Gisborne, much of Hawkes Bay and the far east of Taihape, Taupo and the Bay of Plenty

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning will only be issued once a severe thunderstorm exists and can be tracked my MetService weather radar. This might be 30 minutes after it developed. In other words, by the time you receive a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, there is already a severe thunderstorm.

While we cannot control the weather, we can control COVID-19. Here are four simple things we can all do to keep each other safe and make our summer unstoppable.

1. Scan QR Codes
2. Turn on Bluetooth tracing
3. Stay home if you're sick
4. Wash your hands

Visit the NZ Government Covid-19 website for updates

See MetService website for details.

(Update at 1:30pm Monday - Risk area extended slightly). Daytime cloud buildups are expected to produce scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms about the central North Island this afternoon and evening. These thunderstorms will be accompanied by localised heavy rain and possibly small hail. About northern and eastern Waikato, inland Bay of Plenty (including Rotorua), Taupo and inland parts of Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay, some of the thunderstorms may be severe between about 3pm and 10pm today (Monday) with localised downpours of 25-40mm/h. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

 

 

(Update at 1:30pm Monday - Risk area extended slightly). Daytime cloud buildups are expected to produce scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms about the central North Island this afternoon and evening. These thunderstorms will be accompanied by localised heavy rain and possibly small hail. About northern and eastern Waikato, inland Bay of Plenty (including Rotorua), Taupo and inland parts of Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay, some of the thunderstorms may be severe between about 3pm and 10pm today (Monday) with localised downpours of 25-40mm/h. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain.

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Expect 80 to 120mm of rain in some places. This is in addition to what has already fallen this morning. Peak rates of 30 to 40mm/h expected in downpours.

Valid: 7:00am Sunday to 2:00pm Sunday Jan 3

The standard national advice on COVID-19 risk reduction continues. Over the summer period, it is important to keep track of where you go. The easiest way is to use the COVID tracing app with the bluetooth upgrade, and the QR codes on display in each place you visit. 

If you cannot use the app -or choose not to- you can use a notebook.

It is a good idea to carry a hygiene kit containing sanitiser, soap and a face covering. 

 Large public gatherings and travel between regions increases the risk, so it is important to follow hygiene and safety guidelines. 

 

 

• Government agencies have worked closely with local Government, iwi and community leaders as well as Civil Defence and Emergency Management and private sector to ensure a fully coordinated response.
• The health system is standing ready and supply chains are stocked.  On call personnel will be available.

• Extensive contingency plans are in place, developed around 3 broad scenarios.

• Further information can be found at the following web pages:
• Resurgence webpage: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/national-covid-19-summer-resurgence-plan/
• Economic package: https://covid19.govt.nz/updates-and-resources/latest-updates/financial-support-plan-for-businesses-if-theres-a-covid-19-resurgence/
• Resurgence update: https://covid19.govt.nz/updates-and-resources/latest-updates/new-zealands-plan-to-manage-covid-19-over-summer/

We still need to continue to scan QR codes wherever we go, and businesses, services and public transport providers must keep displaying their QR code posters at all alert levels. 

QR codes allow us to create a private record of places we’ve been, while Bluetooth creates an anonymised record of people we’ve been near. 

Combined, the two systems complement the work done by our public health units and the National Investigation and Tracing Centre to rapidly identify and isolate close contacts. 

Bluetooth tracing on your phone works by exchanging randomised ‘keys’ with other phones that are also using Bluetooth tracing. The keys do not include any information about who you are or where you were. You will need to enable it on the app for it to work.

Privacy has been a top priority throughout the development of the NZ COVID Tracer app, and this remains true with Bluetooth tracing. All the contact tracing information you collect with the app is held securely on your phone, and it’s your choice what information you choose to share. 

The app is endorsed by the Privacy Commissioner, and the Ministry of Health is releasing the source code so New Zealanders can see how their information is managed. 

More information can be found on the Ministry of Health and the Unite Against COVID-19 websites.

Watch our Bluetooth tracing video

NZ COVID Tracer update

NZ COVID Tracer now has 2,396,500 registered users.

Poster scans have reached 135,441,911 and users have created 5,449,443 manual diary entries.

Criteria widened for emergency applications for managed isolation

The range of circumstances for people who need to apply for an emergency allocation in managed isolation to travel to New Zealand urgently has been widened.

Emergency allocation applications will now be prioritised depending on two categories that reflect the most urgent and time-critical situations which may require travel to New Zealand.  

To be eligible for an emergency allocation, the applicant must be legally entitled to enter New Zealand, willing to travel within seven days of applying, have evidence to support their application, and be prepared to complete their 14 days managed isolation.   

Visit the emergency allocation request page on the MIQ website to learn more.

Stay home if you are sick

Staying at home if you’re sick is still the best thing you can do to stop any future spread of COVID-19. 

If you’re feeling unwell, it’s critical you stay at home and recover. 

If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested. 

By getting a test, you’re helping keep your community safe. Testing is always free for everyone. 

The standard rules and guidelines apply as we move into the holiday period. 

Please stay away from others if you are sick and have a test if you are symptomatic or you have been told to by a health professional. Call your GP (don't just turn up) or Healthline if you think you need a test. 

Practice good hand and cough hygiene. 

New Zealand has plans for a vaccine rollout in 2021 but it is important to protect our hard-won gains. 

 

While we cannot control the weather, we can control COVID-19. Here are four simple things we can all do to keep each other safe and make our summer unstoppable.

1. Scan QR codes
2. Turn on Bluetooth tracing
3. Stay home if you’re sick
4. Wash your hands

 

Visit the NZ Government Covid-19 website for more updates.