Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 24, 2020
Dairies, superettes, supermarkets, garages performing automotive repairs, tyre repairers, vehicle testing stations issuing Warrant of Fitness are among the entities that may be allowed to operate after the country moves into Alert Level 4 at 1159 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, March 24, 2020) if they meet the criteria specified for ‘Essential Businesses.’
The above are just some of the businesses in which a large number of people of Indian, Fijian and Sub-Continent origin are involved throughout the country.
However, restaurants, bars and takeaway entities are among those that should be closed.
Indian Newslink has been receiving increasing number of inquiries from worried traders keen to know if the can operate.
Please read the description given hereunder carefully; If in doubt, we request you to check with the authorities to confirm whether you are an essential service and whether you would be allowed to open when Alert 4 is enforced tomorrow night. Indian Newslink absolves itself of any responsibility in this connection.
For full information, please visit this website
https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-level/
Click on Essential Businesses under Current COVID-19 alert level
Essential Services
The following information, extracted from https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-level/ explains the entities that are categorised as ‘Essential Services.’
Food Supply
Any entity involved in the supply, delivery, distribution and sale of food, beverage and other key consumer goods essential for maintaining the wellbeing of people, but not takeaway shops
Any entity involved in the packaging, production and processing of food and beverage products, whether for domestic consumption or export
Any entity involved in relevant support services, such as food safety and verification, inspection or associated laboratory services, food safety and biosecurity functions
Medical and Related Services
Any person employed or contracted as a doctor, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, paramedic, medical laboratory scientists, kaiāwhina workers, social workers, aged care and community workers, and caregivers more generally
Hospitals, primary care clinics, pharmacies, medical laboratories, care facilities (eg rest homes)
Any entity providing ambulance services
Any entity whose closure would jeopardise the maintenance of animal health or welfare standards (including the short-term survival of a species)
Any entity providing veterinary services
Funeral Services
Any entity involved with the deceased/tūpāpaku (eg funeral homes, crematories, cemeteries)
Any entity producing health sector equipment, medicines and PPE
Welfare Services
Those entities, including non-government organisations, that provide welfare and social services to meet immediate needs, to be specified jointly by the Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki
Transport Services
Any entity which operates or is contracted by an entity listed in Schedule 1 of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act 2002, an aerodrome, a passenger and/or freight aviation service, a passenger and/or freight shipping service, a road freight service, a rail freight service, a vehicle recovery service; or a public transport service (under contract with a Regional Council)
Any small passenger service vehicle driver (who holds the relevant licence)
Automotive and Related Services
Any entity providing services to keep vehicles operational for essential work purposes (eg vehicle testing, mechanics, tyre services)
Electricity and Water
Any entity involved in the production, supply, sale distribution or disposal of electricity, gas, water, wastewater (eg sanitation), waste (eg rubbish collection), fuel, telecommunication services, and any entity that is contracted by these entities
News and Media Services
News (including news production) and broadcast media
Internet service providers
Any entity that provides maintenance and repair services for utilities and communications, including supply chains
Any entity supplying services to an essential workplaces that are required for the safe operation of that workplace (eg cleaning, security services)
The entities listed above will continue working, but will put in place alternative ways of working to keep employees safe, including shift-based working, staggered meal breaks, flexible leave arrangements and physical distancing.
