Advice and resources for business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We will continue to add resources to this page as we become aware of them.
Practices are under significant pressure during the Omicron outbreak and receiving complaints from patients. We have prepared two templated documents that can be used to help manage patient expectations.
Please see Patient communication - GP care during Omicron outbreak in the downloads section below. There are two versions available, one for practices using the Practice Plus after hours service, and one for those who are not.
You can add your own branding and edit these documents as needed.
To help cut any confusion on what your business is financially entitled to, try these links.
Or if you prefer to get on the phone try:
ACC is providing up to date information through it's website, giving details such as funding and claiming, telehealth and PPE use during each of the Alert Levels. There is also information on treatment injury cover for COVID-19 vaccination injuries.
On 20 August 2021 a Section 70 notice was applied to household members of a person who has been at a location of interest or has been categorised as a close contact. This requires the household members to isolate at home until the close contact has received a negative day five test result.
There is an exemption that enables people who provide essential health services, who are household member of a close contact, to return to work earlier than the five days specified if they meet the following criteria:
This update has been made to make sure that we support essential healthcare services to manage at safe staffing levels. Information on the Section 70 and locations of interest in New Zealand are available on the Ministry of Health website.
COVID-19 uncertainty can have an impact on our mental wellbeing. It is okay to not be okay. There are many organisations and services doing mahi to support whānau mental wellbeing through COVID-19.
The Government is amending the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 so that the workers who must be vaccinated against COVID-19 are those who face a higher risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 in the workplace than in the wider community.
This means Government vaccine mandates for some health and disability sector workers are being removed.
From 11:59 pm on 7 July, workers who are not public facing in certain healthcare environments and/or do not provide healthcare services directly to patients, will no longer be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Order will continue to cover workers in medical centres/GP practices and pharmacies (such as receptionists or assistants) whose role involves being within two metres or less of a health practitioner or a member of the public for a period of 15 minutes or more.
The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order (No 5) 2021 has now been notified in the Gazette and published to the legislation website. It includes an update to Schedule 3 re: which vaccines are covered under the Order – view the the full list. This will address health and disability workforce staff vaccinated overseas with a vaccine other than those that were listed in the previous version of the Order.
During the COVID-19 lockdown virtual consultations for POAC cases were funded. We are pleased to announce that this will be a permanent change.
Read moreKarawhiua is a campaign for whānau, hapū, iwi, and Māori communities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Read moreThis funding is available for a GP/NP consultation with patients regarding prescription for COVID-19 anti-viral medication, prior to them testing positive for COVID-19.
View detailsPlease make your claim via Primary Options by selecting Positive COVID-19 Care and then attaching the invoices as appropriate.