COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the COVID-19 virus?
As per the COVID19.govt.nz website, COVID-19 is a new virus that can affect your lungs and airways. There are some simple practices you can adopt to protect yourself and your whānau.
What is the COVID-19 Alert Level System?
New Zealand's four-level COVID-19 Alert System specifies public health and social measures to be taken against COVID-19.
What activities can I do during Alert Level 4 in New Zealand?
Physical exercise plays an important role in our wellbeing. Stay local for activities like walking around the block, or at home for any other forms of exercise. Activities that might put you at risk of being hurt or lost and would require emergency services are not allowed. These activities include, but are not limited to, swimming at the beach, surfing, boating, hunting or tramping.
What is an essential service?
Essential businesses, and those that support them, will continue to provide the necessities of life for everyone in New Zealand during Alert Level 4. This means food, medicine, healthcare, energy, fuel, waste-removal, internet and financial support will continue to be available.
What support is available if I have lost my job due to the COVID-19 lockdown?
If you’ve lost your job or had your hours reduced you may be able to get a benefit or some other financial help from Work and Income.
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food -
accommodation costs (rent, mortgage, board, emergency housing) -
repairs or replacing appliances -
emergency dental treatment -
emergency medical treatment -
water tank refill.
What are some of the official NZ sites for information on COVID-19?
There are a few government sites with information around the COVID-19 virus and prevention. The http://covid19.govt.nz/ is dedicated to providing up to date information on the current status of the COVID-19 virus in New Zealand along with links to relevant websites.
What is essential travel?
What about support for kids who can't go to school?
The Ministry of Eduction has put in place resources to help distance learning due to the lockdown and COVID-19 virus.
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https://www.nanogirllive.co.nz/ -
https://education.govt.nz/news/getting-ready-to-support-distance-learning/
What are some ideas to do with those in my bubble during the lockdown at home?
See a list of compiled resources to help whanau during Alert Level 4, and moving forward.

Official Government Links
Official NZ COVID 19 Website:
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Health
Most of the Government websites have social media pages. The links to their social media pages can be found by looking for the appropriate social media icon. Some of the more popular icons are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Not all departments support all social platforms.