COVID-19: Information for retirement villages

Updated on 1 September.

For general information on COVID-19, visit covid19.govt.nz.

Guidance for retirement villages at each Alert Level

Retirement villages should be following the guidelines for the appropriate Alert Level depending on where they are located within New Zealand.

This page provides information for older people who live in a retirement village, their family and whānau, carers, and operators of retirement villages. This page also guides residents and operators to additional sources of information.

For information about rest homes or aged care facilities, please visit the Ministry of Health’s website at health.govt.nz.

Buying and selling of units

Alert Level 1

Alert Level 2

Alert Level 3

Alert Level 4

There are no restrictions on residents moving into or out of the retirement village.

Others are able to assist with the move. Physical distancing rules no longer apply but contact tracing and personal hygiene measures are still in place.

Residents can move into, or out of, the retirement village.

Removal companies can assist with the move if they adhere to public health measures.

Family and friends can also help with the move, and physical distancing procedures are not required.

Buying and selling of retirement villages units are allowed. The Real Estate Authority’s protocols should be followed and can be found here:

rea.govt.nz

Residents can move into, or out of, the retirement village.

Removal companies can assist with the move if they adhere to public health measures.

Buying and selling of retirement villages units are allowed. The Real Estate Authority’s protocols should be followed and can be found here:

rea.govt.nz

People are instructed to stay home, other than for essential personal movement.

Under Alert Level 4, real estate is not considered to be an essential service.

Use of on-site facilities such as gyms, pools, cafes, and hairdressers

Alert Level 1

Alert Level 2

Alert Level 3

Alert Level 4

There are no restrictions on residents using on-site facilities.

Residents are encouraged to keep a record of where they have been and who they came into contact with.

On-site facilities can be used as long as conditions on gatherings are met and appropriate health measures are in place.

These measures include following physical distancing rules, contact tracing and keeping surfaces clean.

On-site facilities for public use must be closed.

Open public spaces, such as parks, may be used but physical distancing requirements apply.

On-site facilities for public use must be closed.

Open public spaces, such as parks, may be used but physical distancing requirements apply.

Visitors and family entering the village

Alert Level 1

Alert Level 2

Alert Level 3

Alert Level 4

There are no restrictions on visitors and family entering the village.

People are encouraged to keep a record of where they have been and who they have been in contact with.

Residents can socialise with family, whānau and friends in groups of up to 100, if following public health guidelines.

Residents must stay in their immediate household bubble but can also extend their bubble to connect with close family, whānau, or caregivers.

People are instructed to stay home, other than for essential personal movement.

Only people providing essential services will be able to enter the village.

Personal movement including travel, village meetings, social gatherings at the village and recreational activities

Alert Level 1

Alert Level 2

Alert Level 3

Alert Level 4

There are no restrictions on personal movement or domestic travel.

People are encouraged to keep a record of where they have been and who they have been in contact with.

It is not necessary for the general public to wear face masks as there is not evidence of COVID-19 community transmission.

Residents can socialise with friends, family and other residents at the village.

Retirement villages will be able to resume activities that involve larger groups of residents as long as the conditions of public gatherings are met.

Residents should adhere to the basic hygiene measures on physical distancing and personal hygiene. Full details of these measures can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website.

Wearing a face mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible (such as public transport or in shops) will complement the basic hygiene measures and is therefore encouraged.

See the sections below on where to find more information on the basic health measures and face masks.

Residents are instructed to stay home in their bubble, other than for essential personal movement. Safe recreational activities, such as exercise in the local area, is deemed to be essential personal movement.

In person village meetings and social gatherings should be suspended.

Residents should adhere to the basic hygiene measures on physical distancing and personal hygiene.

It is highly recommended that residents wear a face mask when they are out in public.

See the sections below on where to find more information on the basic health measures and face masks.

In person village meetings and social gatherings should be suspended.

Residents should adhere to the basic hygiene measures on physical distancing and personal hygiene.

It is highly recommended that residents wear a face mask when they are out in public.

See the sections below on where to find more information on the basic health measures and face masks.

Where to find information for older people to stay safe

COVID-19 is an illness that can affect older people more. Additional information is available for at-risk people, including people who are aged 70 and over and/or have certain health conditions, which may put them at risk of severe illness should they contract COVID-19. For more information about how you can protect yourself, your family and whānau, please visit:

Where to find information about the use of masks in the community

Detailed and up to date information about the use of face coverings, such as masks, can be found on the Ministry of Health's website.

Published: September 1, 2020