Ngā pārongo KŌWHEORI-19 COVID-19: Information for the housing and urban sectors

Information for tenants and landlords

The Tenancy Services website has information about rights and responsibilities for tenants and landlords during COVID-19.

COVID-19 information for landlords and tenants » Tenancy Services(external link)

Housing and related service providers

Care in the Community

The Care in the Community response is led by Ministry of Health and you can find information on the Care in the Community framework here:

Caring for people with COVID-19 in the community | Ministry of Health NZ(external link)

When someone tests positive for COVID-19, the local Public Health team assess what support they may need to self-isolate and will connect them with local providers. In the case of one of your residents testing positive, the local Public Health team will talk to you about what you need to do.

There is information on the support available for people who test positive here:

Care in the community, support if you get COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)(external link)

People needing support can call the COVID Welfare Phone Line on 0800 512 337.

Testing for COVID-19

Rapid Antigen Tests are now widely available to the public. People who need a test can request free COVID-19 testing kits here and collect them from their local collection centre.

Request a RAT | Ministry of Health NZ (covid19.health.nz)(external link)

Close contact exemption scheme

Workers at registered critical services who are an asymptomatic close contact may continue to work.

You can register as a critical service for the Close Contact Exemption scheme here:

Testing and returning to work during Omicron — business.govt.nz(external link)

If you register as a critical service, employees that you have identified as critical workers can continue to work if they are:

• fully vaccinated
• asymptomatic
• return a negative rapid antigen test before each work day/shift during their isolation period
• follow specific health protocols
• only go to work – they cannot go anywhere else.

It is important to note that rapid antigen tests are 80% accurate and you should continue to follow your COVID-19 safety plan limit the risk of transmission and keep your residents, staff and their whānau safe. We encourage you to talk to your staff about your plan and listen to any concerns they have about continuing to work if they are a close contact or working with colleagues who are close contacts. For example, you could consider whether it is possible for close contacts to work remotely or in a location that is separate from their colleagues and your residents.

If any of your staff do test positive, you can find information on what to do here:

Guidance for workplaces that have a case of COVID-19 | Ministry of Health NZ(external link)

Building and construction sector guidance

Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ)

CHASNZ has published guidance on how construction businesses should carry out risk assessments and control respiratory diseases like COVID-19 in the workplace.

COVID-19 and working in the traffic light system (chasnz.org)(external link)

Construction Sector Accord

Keep up to date with what government, industry and individuals are doing to help transform the sector and respond to COVID-19.

Construction Sector Accord - COVID-19 updates(external link)

More information about other Government guidance and support

Unite against COVID-19(external link): everything you need to know about COVID-19 in one place including health, travel, education, business and community issues.

Unit Title Services(external link): COVID-19 information for unit title owners and tenants

Ministry of Health(external link): latest updates, information and advice

Building.govt.nz(external link): COVID-19 building and construction sector guidance

Te Puni Kōkiri(external link): COVID-19 information for Māori

Business.govt.nz(external link): advice for businesses on how COVID-19 may affect your business

Work and Income(external link): financial support

People First(external link): Easy Read information for the Disabled community about COVID-19