Level 3 Information

Alert Level 3 commences Tuesday 28th April, when retail stores including takeaways and independent fruit and vegetable shops will be allowed to sell goods for contactless pickup and delivery, but customers are still not allowed to enter stores.

HortNZ are still working on getting independents recognised as safe and being allowed to allow customers to enter on a one-in-one-out basis like dairies.

Growers should continue operating as they have been under Level 4, with Covid-19 safe practises in place. This document developed by industry and MPI provides guidelines on safe practises for horticulture.  

We recommend that you document your Covid 19 risk management practices and keep a daily record of measures taken, even if you have five or fewer people on site.

All businesses operating under Level 3 need to have an appropriate Covid-19 plan in place, describing how they are providing safe work practices and a robust contact tracing system.

MPI general advice on what Level 3 means for primary industries is here, and more specific advice for horticulture here.

United fresh have added a guide for the fresh produce industry at Level 3, which can be downloaded here.

If you have any produce to donate, the food rescue organisations around the country are very grateful to receive it. Please email me or fill in this form.

Business advice and support: Free specialist support (up to $2,000) is being offered for business with 50 fulltime employees or less under the COVID-19 Advisory Fund.  This covers areas such as business continuity planning, finance and cash flow management, HR and staffing issues, etc, and will provide support over the next 12 months.

This is being managed by the Regional Business Partner Network, Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) and the Canterbury Chamber of Employment and Commerce.  Registration is by online application with a regional provider via RBPN, click here to access.

If things seem a bit too much for you or someone you know, the Rural Support Trust are there for a confidential chat about you, your business, the weather, your finances; or a neighbour, partner, friend, family member, or worker: RURAL SUPPORT: 0800 787 254

The HortNZ Covid 19 website has information and resources for growers that is constantly being updated: Click here for the latest, and stay well.