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Keeping You and Your Whanau Safe

In a very short time, COVID-19 has changed the way we all live our daily lives. But while it has caused us all to feel fear, uncertainty and worry about our future and that of our loved ones, it hasn't changed our ability to love, laugh, and show kindness to others. Together with love, laughter and cool heads that follow the rules, we can get through this.

We want you and your families and whanau to stay safe and well and there are some important things that we all need to do in order to keep us safe and well.

If you or a member of your whanau is feeling sick with flu like symptoms, e.g. sore throat, dry cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or you have lost your sense of smell or taste, please call Healthline 0800 358 5453

	Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands often! This is the most important of all. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap is better than hand sanitizer because the soap bursts the protective wall (lipid envelope) that contains the active part of the virus of COVID-19 and destroys its ability to infect you.
	Wear a Mask/Face Covering Guidelines on how and what type of mask to wear can be found here.
	Avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth If you have to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean. Viruses and bacteria have an easy route to infect you through your eyes, nose and mouth.
	Cover your cough or sneeze Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow. Don't sneeze into your hands. Or cover your mouth with a tissue. Flush the used tissue down the toilet or put into the waste bin.
	Physical distancing is important to stop the spread of COVID-19 Maintain a physical distance of 2metres between yourself and anyone living outside your home bubble. NO hongis, handshakes, hugs, high fives or fist pumps. We know this is difficult but please find safe alternatives for yourselves that don’t involve touching to express your greeting and warmth to others you meet.
	No Visitors or Visiting During Alert Level 4 we must all remain in our family household bubbles. There is no social visiting allowed and only essential travel is allowed e.g. for shopping, doctors appointments, so if other family or friends are helping with shopping, make sure you both keep well and safe by having them leave shopping at the door. We have a COVID-19 policy and protocol that applies to all Support Groups and for all Alert Levels. At Alert Levels 4 and 3 regular meetings are not held in person. Contact with members is to be by telephone or online, or in exceptional circumstances with the 2m distancing practice and safe hygiene rules being adhered to at all times. At Alert Levels 2 and 1, meetings can resume, subject to adherence to the Government's guidelines on gathering sizes and following our policies on COVID-19 health and safety.
	Doctors and Medical Appointments Do not show up to your GP or medical appointments without calling ahead first and getting directions from your doctor. Medical centres have changed their practices to enable assessments online and via the telephone in most cases. They do not want you to be exposed or expose them to this virus. Got symptoms? Call your GP before you visit. Or call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.