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COVID-19

The Covid-19 Alert Level situation in NZ

Auckland(external link) and parts of the Waikato region(external link) are currently at Alert Level 3.

Taranaki and the rest of New Zealand are at Alert Level 2(external link).  

Currently, the Waikato Alert Level 3 boundary(external link) extends to Mōkau where the Waikato and Taranaki regions meet. Police will be checking vehicles coming in and out of this area. 

Please read the guidance for personal travel(external link) between alert level boundaries before travelling. 

Business travel across alert level borders is limited, so please ensure your business is permitted and that you have appropriate documentation(external link). 

On this page:

Alert Level 2 guidelines

At Alert Level 2, there are no restrictions on who can be included in your household bubble.

You can go to work and school, and all businesses and services can open with some restrictions, including physical distancing, use of face coverings and record keeping.

Because of the highly infectious nature of the Delta variant, the government has brought in additional public health guidelines for Alert Level 2:

  • 100 person limit for indoor and outdoor gatherings
  • Mandatory mask-wearing in all retail stores and public transport
  • Get a test if you have any cold or flu symptoms
  • Keep a record of everywhere you go

Read more about the Alert Level 2 guidelines on the Covid19.govt.nz(external link) website. 

Getting a test

You should get a test if you have visited a location of interest, (external link)are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, or are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19. 

Please get advice and arrange testing through the following options:
  • Call Healthline 0800 358 5453 anytime.  
  • Call your family GP or medical centre. If you are referred to a testing clinic by your doctor, please stay home and wait for clinic staff to contact you with an appointment time. You are asked not to show up without an appointment, as this will help lower waiting times.
  • Or you can call your local COVID-19 testing clinic in New Plymouth, Waitara, Ōpunakē or Hāwera (details are on the Taranaki DHB website(external link)).

For Māori health support and information on testing please contact:

Business support

Businesses, organisations and self-employed people affected by the Alert Level changes may be eligible for assistance via Inland Revenue. 

The Covid-19 Resurgence Support Payment(external link) has been extended to include businesses that are at least one month old (previously only available to those over six months). 

Businesses can apply from Thursday 9 September. Those that were previously declined due to the six month threshold will be contacted by Inland Revenue. 

Support available: 

  • The Covid-19 Wage Subsidy(external link) is a payment for eligible businesses so they can keep paying staff and protect jobs. This payment is $600 per full-time worker and $359 per part-time worker, per week.
  • The Leave Support Scheme(external link) gives Alert Level 4 businesses a two-week lump sum payment so they can keep paying workers who must stay home due to Covid-19 and can’t work from home. This payment is also $600 per full-time worker and $359 per part-time worker, per week.
  • The Short-Term Absence Payment(external link) is a one-off payment of $359 for employees who can’t work from home, but who need to miss work while they wait for a Covid-19 test result.
  • Other payment types are also available. Find out what financial help you could get on the Covid-19 website.(external link)

Other helpful links

Locations of interest(external link) for Covid-19 contact tracing. 

Covid19.govt.nz(external link) for all official information. 

District council facilities and services around the region during Covid-19: 

New Plymouth District Council(external link) 

Stratford District Council  (external link)

South Taranaki District Council(external link) 

Taranaki public transport services (external link)