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COVID 19 Update

Current advice from the Ministry of Health is that there is a low-moderate likelihood of a widespread community outbreak in New Zealand.

Update: 3 March 2020

Current advice from the Ministry of Health is that there is a low-moderate likelihood of a widespread community outbreak in New Zealand.

That said, the virus has spread across numerous countries and we saw the first case of COVID-19 in New Zealand last week.

How should you react? The answer is don't panic, stay informed and take sensible precautions.

  • Strictly follow the recommended good health practices, as detailed below. Good hygiene will help keep you safe, but also your family, your friends, work colleagues and the community.
  • International business travel is prohibited until further notice.
  • We also recommend staff avoid personal travel to any high risk areas.

We're closely monitoring the situation and following guidance from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS). 

Increased border controls

It is critically important that we all work together to protect New Zealanders from COVID-19 and play our part in the global effort to contain it.  From today the following border controls are in place:

  1. We are not accepting vessels that have been in China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) or Iran in the 14 days prior to arrival, or who have crew or passengers who have been in China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) or Iran in the 14 days prior to arrival, without CEO approval.
  2. We are asking any vessels or vessels with crew who have been in the following countries in the 14 days prior to arrival if they have anyone showing any COVID-19 symptoms and will respond accordingly:
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • Singapore
  • Thailand

Employee travel

The safety and well-being of our employees is always our top priority. If you have been travelling internationally for work in the past 14 days please talk to your manager about whether you need to work from or stay at home.

We recommend all staff also review personal travel plans and avoid going to China, Iran, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand. Please advise your manager of any international travel undertaken in the past 14 days or planned. 

Managers, please advise the interim response manager of any travel taken or planned by your team members.  

Keeping healthy

The health advice for COVID-19 remains the same. The disease is droplet spread, which is why it's really important to practice good health practices. These are:

  • Frequent hand washing - Especially after direct contact with unwell people or their environment. If done properly, it protects yourself and others.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes - Use disposable tissues or cover your nose and mouth with your clothing, and wash hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
  • Staying at home if you are sick.

Are you or a family member currently feeling unwell?

If you feel unwell with flu-like and respiratory symptoms (such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath) you need to stay away from work, prioritise your wellbeing and look after yourself:

  • Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
  • Call your GP before you visit them.
  • Let your manager know you will not be coming to work – we want our people to look after themselves, get well and prevent infections spreading to others in the workplace.

Further information:

The following links provide helpful information and additional guidance on Covid-19:

The likelihood of a widespread community outbreak is low-moderate however Ports of Auckland has a plan in place should this event occur. We are closely monitoring this rapidly evolving situation and following guidance from the WHO, MOH and ARPHS.

We will advise you if any further public health measures are needed.

If you have any urgent questions please contact your manager or interim response manager Adam Hampson on [email protected]  0274 99 88 77