Latest advice to NZIV from MBIE
New Zealand Institute of Valuers Members
The NZIV has now received an update from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) about operations under Alert Levels 3 & 4.
Please remember that the national Alert Level Four status remains in place until 11.59pm on Tuesday 31 August. Your activity should not change at all while operating in a Level Four environment.
We are also aware that later today (30 August, 2021) there are indications that the Cabinet may consider changes to the rules around Alert Levels, and as always, your Council will be following this closely and offer advice to you, our members, as soon as we have had a chance to review and confirm it through official channels.
What we know so far
The following is the latest communication received from MBIE following our approaches to the Ministry about the activities of Registered Valuers when there is a split Alert Level. It is reproduced in full for your information:
From: EssentialEscalations <EssentialEscalations@mbie.govt.nz>
Subject: FW: Essential Service status of Registered Valuers [UNCLASSIFIED]
Thank you for contacting us to enquire about safe business operations during COVID19 Alert Level 3. Our response to your previous questions (below) is that MBIE is not in a position to provide specific advice on how a business may safely operate under COVID-19 Alert Level 3. Many businesses can operate, but each business must consider the requirements themselves, including the requirements outlined as follows.
To operate during Alert Level 3 businesses must meet all public health requirements. The “Golden Rules” for operating under Alert Level 3 are:
- Staff should work from home if they can.
- Businesses need to have systems and processes in place for physical distancing as far as reasonably practicable (1 metre apart for staff and 2 metres apart for others).
- Businesses need to minimise necessary travel for workers between regions or alert level areas
- Businesses need to have systems and processes in place for contact records, including displaying and ensuring scanning of the workplace QR code and having an alternative contact record keeping system.
- Basic hygiene measures must be maintained. Physical distancing, hand washing and regularly cleaning surfaces. Workers must stay home if they are sick.
- Face coverings must be worn by all persons on the premises of businesses open to the public, and other businesses such as retail stores and takeaways. Other businesses should also consider using face coverings where appropriate.
- You must meet all other health and safety obligations.
You can find more information about requirements at covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/businesses/operating-safely/doing-business-at-alert-level-3/
The WorkSafe website also provides general guidance about businesses operating at Alert Level 3 worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
Regards
Travelling between Alert Levels
The advice below, received during the weekend, may well be subject to change following today's Government announcements. Never-the-less it is included here for your information:
Are you able to urgently kindly confirm:
- Q: The ability of businesses to apply for business travel documentation in the Business Travel Register - which will, as announced by the Prime Minister, be activated after midnight Sunday?
- A: From midday Sunday the Business travel Register will be available. You will not be able to re-use the travel documents you had from last time. There is some information about the information you will need to apply here: https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/business-travel-across-alert-level-boundaries/
Standards: Refreshed Frequently Asked Questions Document
The Chair of the New Zealand Property Valuation Standards Board Blue Hancock has updated the FAQ section of his advice presented during his FREE member webinar last Monday. The current Alert Level 3 is included in the document and is available HERE for you to download. |