Page 9 - HW FEBRUARY 2022

Critical Services Register will provide RATs for return-to-workers
WITH NEW ZEALAND now at Red under the Traffic Light system, as part of the Government’s three phase response MBIE is developing a Critical Services Register to prioritise the allocation of rapid antigen tests (RATs) to businesses to ensure that “critical workers” can return to work as soon as possible.
The allocation of RATs will ensure that “a sufficient number of workers are available to maintain New Zealand’s critical infrastructure and supply chains” during the expected Omicron outbreak, so that asymptomatic close contacts who would otherwise be required to self- isolate can return to work.
MBIE is developing an online portal to allow individual businesses to apply for critical worker status while the Critical Services Register will hold a database
of the critical workforce by sector and location which will be used by the Ministry of Health to allocate RATs
depending on supply and need, including the geographical spread of any outbreak. The idea is that critical workers who
are close contacts will be able to return to work earlier than the seven days mandated for non-critical workers, provided they return a negative
RAT “every day that they are at work throughout their required isolation period or as otherwise appropriate to their work setting.”
What is a “critical worker”? Note that MBIE states up front: “The bar for ‘critical workers’ to be registered is very high,
and critical workers are not the same as ‘essential workers’ under the Alert Level system.”
Note that return-to-work testing will only become available at Phase Two of the New Zealand Omicron response. We are currently under Phase One.
www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/testing- and-returning-to-work-during-omicron/
hard news
Hawke’s Bay’s
support for Tonga
As if they were not busy enough working through the substantial new developments already underway at BBI Wood Products’ Hastings site (see page 6), Brendan O’Sullivan and team have been busy gathering aid in the form of building materials for Tonga.
The materials are destined specifically for Atatā island, near Tonga’s capital city Nuku’alofa, in support of the RSE workers from Atatā and their strong links with Hawke’s Bay.
The initiative currently in train aims to gather together at least a couple of containers’ worth of building materials, towards compiling a dozen or so
shelter packs, and Brendan would like to acknowledge the generosity of the companies that have already come to the party with promises of products and materials:
• Timber products: BBI Wood Products;
Kiwi Lumber; Nelson Pine; Pan Pac;
Red Stag Timber; Tumu; and WPI.
• Fasteners: Bremick; and Ecko
Fastening Systems.
• Roofing iron: Metalcraft Hastings; and
Roofing Industries.
• Plastic wrap: RLB Packaging.
Although a great start, Brendan says more roofing iron, seconds or ends
of line in lengths 1.8-3.6m, would be welcome.
If you can offer further support for this devastated island, contact Brendan via www.bbi.net.nz
Atatā island.
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FEBRUARY 2022 | NZHJ 7