LSNZ Queenstown*

Update from LSNZ 20 April

Hello everybody. I hope you are doing okay. The first big news from us is that yesterday was our school’s 27th birthday. Well done to our team which includes our staff, students, agents, homestay families and everybody else. 

Next is COVID-19 news. Our prime minister announced today that we will stay in level four lockdown For one more week and next Monday the 27th at midnight we will move to level three.  

https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/alert-level-3/

We are not able to open our school safely at level three and we will continue with online classes. However after two weeks at level three the government will revisit and if we are doing well we may move to level two after that. We will be able to move back into our school building for face-to-face classes in level two.

As a country New Zealand has done really well concerning COVID-19. All of the indicators; infections, deaths, community transmission and rate of transmission per infected person are all really low compared to most countries. We talked about our team of 5 million people and we have done well.

That’s the good news for today. Thanks to everyone for your support. Together we can get through this. 

Please write with any questions. 

Regards. 

Guy and the lsnz team. 

Update from LSNZ 16 April

Summary:

Our prime minister spoke to us today. Hopefully soon New Zealand can move to level three. 

We are making great progress in reducing the COVID-19 in New Zealand.

It is unlikely that we can open our school safely in level three and we will wait until level two.

Students are happy and enjoying the online lessons as well as extra social welfare class as we are offering.

The virus has a two week cycle and the government is also looking to review and adjust the levels in periods of two weeks. We need to be patient and be strong to get rid of the virus. 

Full details are below.

Today the government announced details on what moving to Level 3 looks like for businesses and workers, including what businesses can open and what steps they need to take to keep their staff and customers safe. Details here and below.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern did reiterate the risk of going to Alert Level 3 too early. She clarified we will move to Level 3 only when we have met four criteria:

·We know that community transmission is under control and the transmission rate is very low.

·We have robust measures at the border stopping new infection.

·We have tracing and testing capacity to shut down any new outbreak.

·We have supplies for, and capacity, in the health system.

On this coming Monday 20 April, Cabinet will make a decision on whether New Zealand will change Alert Levels or stay at Alert Level 4. The next group update will be on Monday after the Prime Minister’s announcement at 1pm.

What’s new?

Level 3 update
Today the government released more details and clarification around what businesses can open under Level 3, when we move to that level. Many, but not all, businesses can start to open under Alert Level 3. They must take health measures to keep their workers and customers safe. A self-accreditation system will be unveiled next week for businesses to register that they are trading.

Highlights below and full details online here.

To download the detailed alert level information click here and review a summary here.

·Workers must work from home if they can.

·Workplaces must operate safely – keeping one metre between workers, recording who is working together, limiting interaction between groups of workers, disinfecting surfaces, and maintaining high hygiene standards

·Retail and hospitality businesses can only open for delivery and contactless pre-ordered pick up – customers cannot enter stores.

·Supermarkets, dairies and petrol stations can continue to allow customers into their stores, with the same restrictions and measures in place as Alert Level 4.

·Businesses cannot offer services which involve face-to-face contact or sustained close contact (e.g. hairdressing, massage, house cleaning, or door-to-door salespeople).

·Other in-home services can be delivered if it is safe to do so (like tradespeople for repairs or installations) – keep two metre separation from those in the house.

Travel under Level 3 - Travel is still restricted under Level 3 and is only allowed for permitted movement in your local area – e.g. for going to work or school, shopping, or getting exercise. Regional travel is allowed for permitted movement, with some exceptions.

Immigration New Zealand - The Government has agreed to relax visa conditions for a short period to allow temporary migrant workers and international students to further assist with our essential services during the COVID-19 response. Details are:

·Temporary migrants already employed in essential services will be able to vary their hours and be redeployed to do other roles within their current workplaces. They can also do their current role in different workplaces to help essential businesses keep operating while New Zealand remains at Alert Level 3 or 4 and six weeks after that.

·It is anticipated this will help employers in essential industries to maintain their labour pool as we understand hiring would be very difficult while New Zealand remains at Alert Level 3 or 4. The six week period following a reduction in the New Zealand Alert Level to Level 2 or below will enable employers to recruit local staff or retrain existing staff to meet changes in demand.

·Any amendment to an employee’s conditions of work must be compliant with normal New Zealand employment law and the individual or collective employment agreement relevant to the employee.

·Businesses that are considered essential to support New Zealand during Alert Level 3 or 4 can be found on the website here.

Regards,

Monique

Language Schools New Zealand - Queenstown