New Zealand COVID-19 alert levels announced
The latest announcement from the Prime Minister is that until midnight on Wednesday 26 August 2020:
-
Auckland will remain at COVID-19 alert level 3
- the rest of New Zealand will remain at alert level 2.
These settings will be reviewed on 21 August.
What does this mean for oral health practitioners?
If you practise in the Auckland region (Auckland Council Area), the COVID-19 alert level 3 guidelines for oral health services dated 11 August 2020 will continue to apply until midnight 26 August.
This means all routine oral health treatment should be deferred and your practice should only open to provide urgent and emergency dental care following patient triage by phone.
For practitioners in other parts of the country, the COVID-19 alert level 2 guidelines for oral health services dated 11 August 2020 will apply until midnight 26 August.
This means you can provide routine dental care and urgent or emergency dental care for those patients who fall into the low risk category as defined in the guidelines. You can provide only urgent or emergency care for patients who fall into the high risk category as defined in the guidelines.
Please read the relevant guidelines carefully to familiarise yourself with requirements and the risk assessment questions to ensure you manage your patients appropriately and safely.
Further updates
The effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt across New Zealand and we are mindful of the fact that this time around, the impacts are greater for practitioners in the Auckland area.
Remaining vigilant, complying with restrictions and ensuring you provide dental treatment according to the relevant guidelines is the most important thing we can all do to stay safe and limit further transmission of COVID-19.
We will continue to keep you updated with the latest developments for oral health practitioners. You should also check the Ministry of Health and Unite against COVID-19 websites for the latest information.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Andrew Gray & Marie Warner
Chair & Chief Executive