New Zealand Sign Language accessible videos about the Coronavirus COVID-19 situation can be found here. We will continue to update this page as more videos become available.
Alert Level 2
Alert Level 2: Disability support services
All services (disability and non-disability services) will need to follow the Alert Level 2 rules. This means that services will need to carefully and regularly clean surfaces that are touched [...]
Alert Level 2: Other services that are available + some NASC appointments will resume
All equipment, housing and vehicle modifications can now go ahead if services can be done safely. Hearing and vision services (including NZ Sign Language interpreters), rehabilitation therapies and child development [...]
Alert Level 2: Home and community support services
Home-based personal care services such as support with toileting, washing, feeding should be provided under Alert Level 2. Household management such as cleaning can also be provided under Alert Level [...]
Alert Level 2: Day services will open in a limited way
Day services can now open in a limited way following Alert Level 2 safety rules. They will need to follow physical distancing rules (1-metre apart), good hygiene measures and keep [...]
Alert Level 2: Community residential services and residential services provided
Community residential services continue to operate under all alert levels. Under Alert Level 2, residential providers must follow the Alert Level 2 safety rules. You do not need to physically [...]
Alert Level 2: Choice in community living and supported living
If you receive support in your home, including personal cares or household management services such as cleaning, you should follow the rules above for ‘home and community support services’. If [...]
Total Mobility Subsidy to 30 June 2020
Waka Kotahi, the NZ Transport Agency has extended the support for fare-free travel on Total Mobility services (up to the regional cap). From Tuesday 14 April, the subsidy applied while [...]
Alert Level 2: Travel and transport
During Alert Level 2, you can travel around your local area regionally around the country as long as you follow the rules to keep yourself and others safe. You can [...]
Alert Level 2: Healthcare
It is important that if you are unwell or undergoing treatment that you still contact your doctor. Doctors and health centres are open in all alert levels. Most doctors and [...]
Going out, gatherings, public venues, funerals and tangihanga at Alert Level 2
At Alert Level 2, you can leave home to do more things, but you should consider the safety and comfort of people around you, and follow the rules about keeping [...]
Education, including tertiary, at Alert Level 2
Early learning services, schools and tertiary education facilities (such as universities, polytechnics and Wānanga) are all open for all ages during Alert Level 2. Residential Specialist Schools and Day Specialist [...]
Exercise, sport and recreation at Alert Level 2
You can do your usual exercise and recreation activities during Alert Level 2, provided you can do them safely. This includes activities that were restricted previously, including: walking, biking and [...]
Workplaces and businesses at Alert Level 2
Going back to work At Alert Level 2 many people can go back to work. Your employer will let you know how you are going to work at Alert Level [...]
Ministry of Social Development and Work and Income at Alert Level 2
From Thursday 14 May, New Zealand will be at Alert Level 2 in our response to COVID-19. We know things may not feel back to normal for some time, but [...]
Level 2 Update for the Deaf Community
Message to the Deaf community and our stakeholders from Deaf Aotearoa We are preparing for Covid-19 Alert Level 2 and we want to let you know what this means for [...]
Alert System Level 2 – Reduce
COVID-19 Alert System Level 2 - Reduce, in New Zealand Sign Language. Find out more: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
Alert Level 3
Can I get a Flu Shot?
Yes. Flu shots are available free for people over 65 at doctor's surgeries and some local pharmacies. You should: Phone ahead to make an appointment Find out about any infection [...]
Can I access other community health services like my dentist or optometrist?
Pharmacies remain open. Pharmacies will use telehealth for medicine management where possible and may deliver medications if you are at risk and choose to stay at home. All routine care [...]
I live on my own – can I create a bubble with another person?
If you live alone, you may arrange with one other person living alone or one other household to be part of your bubble. Make sure that everyone in your extended [...]
Extending your bubble
During Alert Level 4 you were told to stay two metres away from everyone except for the people you live with and essential support workers. This group of people who [...]
Alert Level 4
Food and Shopping
Supermarkets and some dairies are still open for you to buy food. Pharmacies are still open, so you can get your medications. There might be different rules when you go [...]
Staying at home – what it means
We are at Alert Level 4 because right now, a virus called COVID-19 is spreading fast around the world. A virus is something that can make people sick. Viruses can [...]
COVID-19 Alert Level 4
New Zealand has a four-level COVID-19 Alert System. This Alert System tells us what to do to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. We are at Level 4 of the [...]
At-risk people
Some people are more likely to get very sick if they get COVID-19. You are more likely to be affected if you are over 70 years old or have other [...]
Alert Levels and Lockdown
Introduction to COVID Alert System
Information about the COVID-19 Alert System in New Zealand Sign Language. Find out more: www.covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system
Alert System Level 1 – Prepare
Information about the COVID-19 Alert System Level 4 - Prepare in New Zealand Sign Language. Find out more: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
Alert System Level 2 – Reduce
COVID-19 Alert System Level 2 - Reduce, in New Zealand Sign Language. Find out more: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
Alert System Level 3 – Restrict
Information about the COVID-19 Alert System Level 3 - Restrict in New Zealand Sign Language. Find out more: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
Alert System Level 4 – Eliminate
Information about the COVID-19 Alert System Level 4 - Eliminate in New Zealand Sign Language. Find out more: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
Staying at home – what it means
We are at Alert Level 4 because right now, a virus called COVID-19 is spreading fast around the world. A virus is something that can make people sick. Viruses can [...]
COVID-19 Alert Level 4
New Zealand has a four-level COVID-19 Alert System. This Alert System tells us what to do to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. We are at Level 4 of the [...]
State of National Emergency declared to fight COVID-19
A State of National Emergency has been declared across the country as the Government pulls out all the stops to curtail the spread of COVID-19. Under the Civil Defence Emergency [...]
How to get ready for Alert Level 4
On Wednesday 25th March 2020 at 11.59pm all New Zealanders have to follow the rules for the government’s Alert Level 4. Alert Level 4 is put in place to stop [...]
COVID-19 Alert Level 3
The government has made the decision to move to Alert Level 3 and then to Alert Level 4 on Wednesday 25th March because Coronavirus / COVID-19 has started to spread [...]
Health
Can I access other community health services like my dentist or optometrist?
Pharmacies remain open. Pharmacies will use telehealth for medicine management where possible and may deliver medications if you are at risk and choose to stay at home. All routine care [...]
Symptoms
How do I identify the symptoms of COVID-19? Symptoms include: fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, sore throat, sneezing plus runny nose, loss of smell. These symptoms do not necessarily mean you [...]
At-risk people
Some people are more likely to get very sick if they get COVID-19. You are more likely to be affected if you are over 70 years old or have other [...]
How to access healthcare
Doctors and hospitals are essential services and will not be closing Just because you must stay at home doesn't mean that you won't get medical help when you need it. [...]
Advice on self-isolation
COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus) has broken out in several countries. If you have departed from one of these affected countries in the last 14 days, or you have been [...]
Immunisation
Currently, there is no specific treatment for coronavirus. As this is a new virus, there is currently no vaccine available.
Prevention
You can take some simple steps to help stop the spread of diseases like COVID-19. Avoid close contact with people with cold or flu-like illnesses. Cover coughs and sneezes with [...]
Updates from Deaf Aotearoa
Level 2 Update for the Deaf Community
Message to the Deaf community and our stakeholders from Deaf Aotearoa We are preparing for Covid-19 Alert Level 2 and we want to let you know what this means for [...]
We are still providing Deaf Aotearoa services
Want you all to know that Deaf Aotearoa services are still ongoing. ALL facilitators are busy working from home making regular contact with service users and members of the Deaf [...]
NEW COVID-19 Hotline: Skype & Email Address
Deaf Aotearoa have set up new Skype and Email specifically relating to COVID-19 If you are already communicating with staff/facilitator at Deaf Aotearoa, you can continue communicating with them. Are [...]
All Deaf Aotearoa offices are closed
Staff are working from home. You can contact staff on text, email or videocall if you have their contact information. You can also email duty@deaf.org.nz or text 021 276 5771 [...]
Ministry of Social Development Updates
Essential social sector organisations
You can also contact social sector organisations who provide essential services. What can they help you with? Social sector organisations can help you with: providing or delivering food and other [...]
Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups
What can they help you with? You can contact your local CDEM group if you need support with household goods and services and other essential items including: food; water; groceries; [...]
Online shopping services
What can they help you with? If you are most at risk of COVID19, according to government’s guidelines, you can apply for Supermarket Priority Assistance Service for online deliveries. How [...]
Where to go to for services and support
Family and friends are an important support in times like this. If, for any reason, you don’t have access to family and friends, you’re not alone. Here is information about [...]
Benefit increases
From 1 April 2020 all main benefits will increase by $25 per week. For couples, the increase will be $25 in total. This increase to the after-tax rate will apply [...]
Essential Costs (Work and Income)
For those who are struggling to meet urgent and essential family and whānau costs, there might be help available from Work and Income. Work and Income call centres are experiencing [...]
Support through local Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups
During these challenging times, some people in our communities may need extra help to access the things they need during self-isolation, like food and medicines. For people who have an [...]
Winter Energy Payment rates for 2020
Payments will begin on 1 May 2020 and on 1 October 2020. Single people with no dependent children - $40.91 a week Couples, and people with dependent children - $63.64 [...]
Housing and Urban Development Updates
Other reasons your rental agreement might end – Rent Freeze Increase & Tenancy Terminations
There are some other situations that might mean your rental agreement ends. A rental agreement will also end if: The renter moves out of the house and stops paying rent [...]
Choosing to move out or stay in your house – Rent Freeze Increase & Tenancy Terminations
The rules about moving out have stayed the same for renters. But you are allowed to stay in your house even if you have given notice and told the landlord [...]
Landlords telling you to move out – Rent Freeze Increase & Tenancy Terminations
The rules have changed for landlords telling renters to move out. Between 26 March to 26 June, landlords can only ask you to move out if: You and the landlord [...]
Moving into a new house – Rent Freeze Increase & Tenancy Terminations
At the moment some people have told their landlord they are going to move out, but they cannot move into their new house because the person who is living there [...]
Paying rent late – Rent Freeze Increase & Tenancy Terminations
The new rules says rent has to be 60 days late before the landlord can tell you to move out. The landlord must ask the Tenancy Tribunal to make an [...]
Rent Increase Freeze – Rent Freeze Increase & Tenancy Terminations
Landlords cannot increase the rent for buildings that people live in from 26 March to 26 September. This is called a rent increase freeze. You do not have to pay [...]