MoE Update – 17 August 2021

New Zealand is moving into Alert Level 4 

Kia ora koutou,  
 
You will be aware a confirmed case of COVID-19 has been identified in the community in Auckland. 
 
As a result, and because of the much greater risk associated with the possibility of the Delta variant, New Zealand is are moving to Alert Level 4 at 11:59pm tonight.  Auckland and the Coromandel can expect to be at alert level 4 for seven days.  The Alert Level 4 setting for the rest of NZ will be reviewed at 72 hours.  
 
All early learning services will be closed. 
  
People should shelter in place unless they need to travel home, in which case they should travel as quickly as possible and within 48 hours.  
 
Face coverings are to be worn by adults when travelling and when outside the home. 
 
While the resurgence is the last news anyone wanted, it is unfortunately what was anticipated. This extremely quick and very sharp shift in alert level will support us to prevent widespread infection in the community.  
 
Acting with extreme caution has served us well for New Zealand’s COVID-19 response, and we all know what we can do to help keep our communities as safe as possible. The below information is a reminder of what is required. 
 
All Ministry staff remain at work “virtually”, so please keep in contact with your regional office.  
 
We will continue to update you as this response progresses, so as always, please do let us know if there is any information you need to support you and your community. 
 
Kia kaha! 
 
Iona 
 
In this bulletin: 

• Funding arrangements for early learning services at Alert Level 4 
• Distance Learning – Alert Level 4 
• Locations of interest 
• More information 

Funding arrangements for early learning services at Alert Level 4  

At Alert Level 4, services can use the Emergency Closure code to maintain funding, effective from 17 August 2021 at 11:59pm. 
  
The Emergency Closure (EC) code should be used in the Student Management System for the days the service would normally have been open. You do not need to apply to the Ministry to access this funding. 

Distance Learning – Alert Level 4 

Resources are available online to support parents, whānau and caregivers to enable children’s learning from home (or wherever they’re based). To support this, we have resources and guidance available on our Learning from Home website. 
 
You can also access:  

• Home Learning TV can be accessed on demand here or via the TVNZ App on a device (mobile phone, smart tv or tablet) 
• Mauri Reo, Mauri Ora can be accessed on demand from Māori TV.  

Locations of interest 

Health authorities are working closely with the confirmed case, to identify close contacts and locations of interest. Experience shows that this information will be regularly updated so please encourage your community, where relevant, to keep connected with this information. 

More information 

We have a dedicated page for early learning services with all the information you need to know about each alert level.  

Advice for early learning services  
 
Further information about Alert Level 4 can be found on the COVID-19.govt.nz website.