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tertiary and international covid-19 bulletin

Tertiary and international COVID-19 bulletin
13 April 2022

13 April 2022
Home
/
tertiary and international covid-19 bulletin

Tertiary and international COVID-19 bulletin

13 April 2022

COVID-19 Protection Framework settings

All of New Zealand is at Red (Phase 3).

As announced today by COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins, all of New Zealand will move to the Orange setting in the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system) from 11:59pm tonight Wednesday 13 April. 

Life at Orange – Unite against COVID-19

Updated guidance

We have updated our detailed guidance on what the COVID-19 Protection Framework means for tertiary education providers and students.

These updates reflect the recent policy changes that were outlined in our 24 March and 31 March bulletins – for example, the removal of government vaccination mandates for the tertiary sector.

This detailed guidance is available on our website. An overview of what information is covered in each of these sections is set out below.

Note, as part of this update we have also restructured how some of this content is set out.

Advice for tertiary providers and students – Te Mahau

You can access a summary table of the framework and what it means for providers on Te Mahau website.

Resources for tertiary education providers – Te Mahau 

The new structure has four key sections:

  • COVID-19 Protection Framework: Tertiary and international
    • This section includes detailed guidance on what the Green, Orange, and Red settings of the framework mean for the tertiary sector. It also includes the updated information on vaccination guidance for tertiary education providers.
  • COVID-19 Protection Framework: Resources for tertiary providers
    • This section includes more detailed guidance and information for tertiary providers, including the updated summary table of the framework, the tertiary toolkit, and guidance for tertiary student accommodation providers.
  • Advice for tertiary and international students
    • This section includes detailed information and advice for students, including on what the framework means for them and available health and wellbeing supports. It also contains specific advice for international students.
  • Information on vaccinations and study continuity
    • This section provides more detailed information on vaccination requirements within the tertiary education sector (verifying vaccination status, rules for onsite businesses, and so on), as well as providers’ responsibilities for supporting continuity of study where possible.

If you need any clarification, email COVID19.TertiaryandInternational@education.govt.nz.

Changes to case reporting and reduced SPOC availability

Tertiary education providers no longer need to report COVID-19 case numbers to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) or to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

We would like to thank the sector for their diligent reporting over the past several months. If reporting processes are reinstated in the future, we will let you know via a bulletin.

Due to this change in case reporting (and a continued reduction in enquiries from the sector), TEC and NZQA are scaling back their respective single point of contact (SPOC) roles. 

SPOCs are still available to support providers with their COVID-19-related enquiries. However, the 0800 number will no longer be active and the TEC and NZQA mailboxes will only be monitored on business days.

Contact details are as follows:

Update on boosters for 16 and 17-year-olds

Free COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine boosters are now available for 16 and 17-year-olds if:

  • they are fully vaccinated (that is, they have had two doses of the Pfizer vaccine)
  • it has been at least six months since they completed their primary course (for most people, this is two doses).

Anyone aged 16 or 17 can go into any walk-in vaccination site without booking. From Thursday 14 April, they can also book their booster through Book My Vaccine.

A list of walk-in vaccination sites is available on the Unite against COVID-19 website. 

Get your COVID-19 vaccination – Unite against COVID-19

Returning to normal activities after having COVID-19

For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild to moderate illness. However, it is still important to be mindful of a few things during recovery from COVID-19, even after completing the isolation period. 

The Ministry of Health advises that, during recovery from COVID-19, some people may find they become more easily fatigued or breathless. This is common after being sick.

Students and staff who have had COVID-19 should be reminded to take it easy as they return to their normal activities, including by:

  • getting plenty of sleep
  • eating well
  • resting if they need to
  • pacing themselves.

The Ministry of Health also advises that if students or staff still have symptoms after their isolation period has ended, they should continue to stay home and recover. This should be until 24 hours after their symptoms resolve. If they have any concerns, they should talk to their doctor or healthcare professional.

More information can be found on the Unite against COVID-19 website. 

After you have had COVID-19 – Unite against COVID-19

Be prepared for COVID-19

Whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, everyone should prepare for what they need to do if they get COVID-19.

The Unite against COVID-19 website has resources to help you.

Be prepared for COVID-19 – Unite against COVID-19

Travelling and COVID-19

While vaccination is highly effective, it is still possible to get COVID-19.

You may get it while you are away from home, even if you are following the rules. You should prepare for what you may need to do if this happens.

If you get COVID-19 while travelling – Unite against COVID-19

Email address for queries

All tertiary and international COVID-19 related queries can be emailed to us through our central mailbox: COVID19.TertiaryandInternational@education.govt.nz.

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