'Employers need to start to think this through in terms of the risk benefit'
As of midnight on 14 August, the New Zealand government has scrapped all remaining Covid-19 restrictions, which included mandatory seven-day isolation and the requirement to wear a mask if visiting a healthcare or aged care facility.
In an announcement, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall said the Ministry of Health’s guidance was for people to continue to stay at home if unwell or testing positive for Covid-19, but for five days instead of seven — and it’s no longer a legal requirement.
“While our case numbers will continue to fluctuate, we have not seen the dramatic peaks that characterised COVID-19 rates last year,” Verrall said, citing less pressure on the health system.
“This, paired with the population’s immunity levels, means Cabinet and I am advised we’re positioned to safely remove the remaining COVID-19 requirements.”
Employer mandates with end of restrictions
However, people still need to act responsibly to avoid the spread of viruses in the workplace, says a high-profile healthcare professional.
Speaking on Radio New Zealand National, Dr Bryan Betty, the Chair of General Practice, said those with flu and colds should ideally still stay at home — with support from employers.
“I am certainly in favour that if an employee thinks they’ve got a cold or a flu, then they should be given space to stay at home or work from home at that point so as not to spread it around the workplace,” he told interviewer Corin Dann.
“Employers should be in a space that says, ‘Look, if you have this, we’re in a high-trust environment, we trust you to say we don’t need a doctor’s certificate for the next three to four days - or whatever it is - assuming you do have a cold or a flu.’ I think that would be a much better way to operate.”
Viral illness can spread and affect workmates, “and in particular can affect vulnerable workmates – those who are older, maybe having comorbidity,” Betty said.
“There is a responsibility, and I think employers need to start to think this through in terms of the risk benefit of this and how they mandate this within their own workplace as well.”
