While Church buildings are temporarily closed, the Church as the people of God continues. The main message is still to save lives, stay at home, stay local...

We are aligning ourselves with advice-resources from Government sources.  Our current advice is aimed at making sure that we can play our part in responding to the threat of COVID-19 Delta variant.

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Current status: Alert Level 3, Stay Home, Stay Local

There are only slight differences in restrictions between Alert Level 4 and Alert Level 3. It is most important to stay home, exercise locally and limit movement.

At Alert Level 3, people who can’t work from home can safely return to work if they follow public health guidance. Delta is more infectious and moves faster, so businesses and services need to take further precautions to operate safely, including face coverings, record keeping through the COVID Tracer App or manual records, and keeping 2m physical distancing.

Businesses and Services that meet Alert Level 3 requirements can open. If your business involves physical contact it cannot open – for example hairdressers, personal trainers, driving instructors and tattoo parlors.

People will be able to shop online or by phone, for any goods – but customers cannot personally go into a store or business.

There are some limited businesses opening at Alert Level 3 that can allow customers on premises with 2m physical distancing, such as butchers, greengrocers and fishmongers. If you go into a store, employees and customers wear face coverings, keep 2m apart and customers record their visit/scan the NZ COVID Tracer App.

In addition to more businesses being permitted to open, there are some minor changes, including gatherings for weddings and funerals and tangihanga for up to 10 people, and some additional recreation activities as long as it is low risk and with people from your household bubble.

For more information on go to Unite Against COVID-19.

Click here for Worship and Other On-line Gatherings

Churches are hosting online services and events, as well as resourcing families and households with their own ministry activities. Gathered church services are being live streamed and recorded, with churches also engaging their parishioners via many other mediums. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates. 

Currently all planned gatherings in person (worship services, small group meetings in person, Synods and so on), have been postponed. Please watch this space for updates. 

Directions for churches: Church services and hospitality, Liturgical practice, well-being, funerals and weddings, pastoral care, church groups, Administration activities, Outreach, Education/events and church buildings. 

All of our current advice are on our Frequently Asked Questions page for levels Four and Three. 

Key points for all of us:

• Stay in your household bubbles whenever we are not at work, school, buying the groceries or exercising.
• Keep your bubble as small as possible
  
• Work and learn from home if possible.
• Plan to make your facilities COVID-19 safe for when we move to Level 2, but only when given directions to do so. (See workplace operations at COVID-19 alert levels)

• Stay regional - any activities you do must be safe and local.

• Wash and dry your hands. Wash often. Use soap. 20 seconds. Then dry. This kills the virus by bursting its protective bubble. Use a sanitiser if running water not immediately available.

• Wear a face covering and follow the latest government guidance on this within level 3. You are advised to wear one when you leave your home and you must wear it while accessing any essential services (Supermarket, Chemist, public transport etc.). 

• Scan in - use the COVID-19 tracer app or complete a manual register if you don't have a smart phone. With the increased transmission rates in newer COVID-19 variants, this helps with any contact tracing that may be required. 

• Maintain a distance of 2 metres with anyone outside your immediate household (e.g. if you are going for a breath of fresh air outside or to the supermarket). Use the phone, a video messaging system or something similar to stay in touch.

• Be kind. Make a difference by checking-in on others, especially the elderly and vulnerable.
  
• Look after anyone that needs help. Drop supplies to those at home sick and ensure you have no physical contact.

The Ministry of Health recommends that you should follow the usual precautions including:

• If you feel unwell, remain at home, use Healthline’s dedicated 0800 number for COVID-19 health advice and information (0800 358 5453). If you have any cold or flu type symptoms, contact your General Practice as you may be required to undergo testing for the COVID-19 virus.
• Avoid close contact with people with cold or flu-like illnesses.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing.
• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap and dry them thoroughly:
  • before eating or handling food
  • after using the toilet
  • after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses
  • after caring for sick people.

Anyone who has returned to New Zealand from overseas must abide by NZ government requirements. Currently this is to remain at a Government organised quarantine facility. This involves self-isolating by staying indoors and avoid contact with other people for 14 days from the date of arrival and then follow the lock down procedures until advised otherwise. 

Want to know more? See the Government's dedicated COVID-19 webpage and our own Community Response and Resources Webpage. 

For more information, see the documents attached below and check out the videos.

The Diocesan office is very happy to answer any queries you may have. Please contact Andrew Metcalfe .