1. Schools are open to everyone, and all children must attend. Early learning services will also be open.

At Alert Level 2 the disease is contained but there is still risk of community transmission. It is safe for children and staff to attend school and early learning centres and for school hostels to be operating as there will be appropriate measures in place, including for children and staff vulnerable to severe illness.

2. Learning will be onsite with distance learning offered in some circumstances.

Distance learning should be provided for those required to self-isolate, those individuals who health authorities have asked to stay away while waiting for a test result, or those choosing to remain at home because they are vulnerable to illness.

3. Schools and early learning services are not classified as gatherings and a range of events and activities can go ahead.

Schools and early learning services must be able to meet usual health and safety requirements and the specific public health requirements for COVID-19 for Alert Level 2 (see below for more details).

4. Schools and services will close for cleaning and contact tracing, if there is a confirmed case who was infectious.

Your Director of Education will work closely with you and health authorities should this occur.

5. Face coverings are not required at school or early learning services or on any school transport.

This includes charter buses hired by the school to transport students and staff. Anyone who chooses to wear a face covering in any setting should be supported to do so.

6. Sick people must stay at home.

They should seek medical advice if they have COVID-like symptoms and get tested if advised to do so. If that person displays relevant symptoms of COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 they must self-isolate.

7. Schools and services must have a contact tracing system in place.

This includes displaying QR code posters at entrances.

NZ COVID Tracer app - Ministry of Health website

8. Fundamental public health measures continue to apply at every alert level.

• Physical distancing (not touching and not breathing on each other at Alert Level 2).
• Hand hygiene.
• Cough and sneeze etiquette.
• Regularly cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces.

9. Schools and services should plan carefully, before they go ahead with any activity that brings a large number of children and young people together and/or when spectators are involved.

Some events may need to be cancelled or postponed while we remain at Alert Level 2 (see below for more detail). Inter-regional travel is possible but only where you are confident the appropriate measures will be in place at the host venue, including requirements for gatherings.

10. For more information

For more detailed information for Alert Level 2, please refer to the Ministry Bulletin for School Leaders | He Pitopito Kōrero page on the Ministry of Education website.