Confirming details in regards to Alert Level 2 for education. Please note the arrangements for Auckland at this time differ from the rest of the country.

All tamariki can continue to attend kura for learning at Alert Level 2.

Public health advice is that schools, early learning services and tertiary institutions are safe to open onsite at Alert Level 2 to all learners. People do not need to return to bubbles at Alert Level 2 and can meet with friends and family but need to play it safe and continue to take sensible health and safety precautions.

If tamariki are sick and have any COVID-19 symptoms, are in isolation, or are awaiting the result of a test they are required to remain at home.

Playground, sports equipment use and sports, including contact sports, remain available at Alert Level 2. 

Public health advice, based on experience in New Zealand and overseas with COVID-19 over many months, shows that it does not infect or affect children and teens in the same way it does adults. Children and teens have low infection rates, they don't become that unwell if they do get infected, and they don't tend to pass the virus on to adults.

Two key public health principles support our education approach to Alert Level 2. These are to minimise the risk that someone gets infected in the first place, and to ensure we can identify and contact anyone who has been in close contact, if someone in an education institution is infected.

Strong public health control measures will be in place in all education institutions, including learners and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing, and safe hygiene requirements. If a school or early learning service has a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, they may be advised by health to close for 72 hours to allow contact tracing, and then potentially for a further 14 days.

Alert Level 2 is all about being safe and sensible and this is the approach that goes through our guidance to schools and services.