Update 14 August 2020
Key actions right now include:
- Review your systems for operating safely under COVID restrictions and discuss your response plan with your team. Communication and clarity are key.
- Plan ahead as much as you can for changes in alert level.
- Keep track of movements on and off the farm (see below for how to create your own QR code)
- Reinforce good hygiene practices. See our Tips for cleaning surfaces and our 10 point plan for more helpful advice
Travel authorisation for essential workers
At higher alert levels, essential workers will require a letter from their employer authorising travel to and from work. Our letter template may be useful. If you are self-employed, it may be useful to write one for yourself and keep it with you.
DairyNZ events
Next week we were due to be full swing into Breakfast on Us events in the Upper North Island. All next week’s events have been postponed to allow planning time to respond to any Alert Level changes. Please call your local CO if you have a burning question or discussion topic you had planned to bring to an event. Also, please visit our events page for further updates on our calving and other events.
Create your official NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster
From 11:59 am on Wednesday 19 August, all businesses must display a NZ COVID Tracer QR code for their business in a prominent place or near the main entrance (you may need to get it laminated or insert in a plastic sleeve, or find a weather-proof location). People coming onto your property (including contractors, vets etc.) will need to scan the QR code using the Ministry of Health’s NZ COVID Tracer app.
Click here to create your official poster. You will need your driver licence details and your New Zealand Business Number (you can find your number here).
Visit the Government's page Unite against COVID-19 for the latest official information.
Read MPI's FAQs on Alert Level 2 and 3 about COVID-19 and primary industries.
For any questions
- phone us on 0800 4 324 7969
- email us at info@dairynz.co.nz
- phone your local consulting officer
If you need help now, phone Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
As the situation changes, we will adapt our delivery to farmers, update this page and post information on DairyNZ's social media pages.
See a 10 point plan covering what to do this week here.
Other services
Healthline – 0800 358 5453
Govt helpline 0800 779 997 (8am-10pm, 7 days a week)
Mental Health 'need to talk'– call 1737
Work and Income (Financial hardship) – 0800 559 009
COVID-19 website - For handy COVID posters to print to put around the place
Supporting your farm team
In this time of uncertainty, it’s a good idea to check in frequently with your team – and even your neighbours and community - and understand the questions they have about the effects of COVID-19 and its potential impact on your farm.
If you have employees from overseas who may normally be planning a trip home, think through implications of travel restrictions and how you may be able to support them to keep in touch with family remotely.
How are you set up as things evolve?
Don’t forget about your networks of farming friends and family - it might be useful to talk through how you might support each other in different scenarios. Keep up to date with developments and advice from the Ministry of Health.
