Skip Links

Skip to Main Content

Home › Managing health and safety › Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

We are operating at reduced capacity due to COVID-19 Alert Level Four restrictions. Please only call our 0800 number if someone is at serious risk of harm or has been seriously injured, become seriously ill, or died as a result of work.

For other notifications please complete our online forms at Notify WorkSafe.

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Our COVID-19 response – what you need to know

What businesses and services can expect from us during the COVID-19 response, and what we expect of businesses and services under all Alert Levels. All businesses and services must continue to eliminate or minimise work health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes businesses and services whose workers are working from home.

Operating safely – what you need to think about

Implementing or maintaining infectious disease controls remains vital for the health and safety of workers and other people regardless of the Alert Level.

Public health requirements for businesses and services operating at Alert Level 2

Here are the public health requirements that apply to all businesses and services operating under Alert Level 2. This information is based on the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order (No 11) 2021.

Contact record rule and face coverings – our expectations

Businesses and services have an important role in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. They can do this by meeting COVID-19 alert level requirements, including the contact record rule if it applies. Businesses and services can also support workers, customers, and visitors to meet their requirement to wear a face covering when applicable.

Public health requirements for all Alert Level 4 businesses and services

We’ve summarized the public health requirements that apply to all Alert Level 4 businesses and services (formerly essential services). This information is based on the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order (No 11) 2021.

Information for workers

Here’s what you need to know about working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How we support the government's pandemic response

We’re supporting the government’s response to the pandemic in two ways. As a regulator we're responsible for making sure businesses meet their health and safety obligations, and our inspectors also have responsibilities under the COVID Public Health Response Act.

Hazardous substances and PECPR at Alert Level 2 and 4

We’ve set out our expectations for managing hazardous substances and asbestos authorisations, PECPR equipment, and the supply of electricity and gas at Alert Levels 2 and 4.

Managing duties for border and MIQF businesses and services – what you need to know

If you’re a business or service operating at the border – ports and airports – or involved in the operation of managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQFs), exposure to COVID-19 is a new critical risk you need to manage.

Advice for delivery drivers

Delivery services must observe the requirements around physical distancing for the Alert Level their region is subject to, as well as practising good hygiene and staying home if you are unwell.

Engaging volunteers during during the COVID-19 pandemic

The steps you take to ensure your volunteers’ health and safety at work during the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be the same as those you take with your other workers.

Checking that people are safe and well to work

It is vital that workers who are unwell do not come into contact with other workers or other people at work.

How we're helping frontline workers stay healthy and safe at work

For most businesses and services the COVID-19 pandemic means paying closer attention to the basics, like regularly cleaning surfaces. However, for those who are on the frontline of the government’s COVID-19 response, it means something different.

Working from home

Many people will still be working from home. This may continue to present new risks that businesses will need to manage.

Resources for maintaining mentally healthy work during COVID-19

There is a range of specific COVID-19 mental health guidance available for people, including for those working from home.

Assessing whether a specific role needs to be performed by a vaccinated worker

The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 requires all work in MIQ settings to be carried out by workers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. It also requires all government officials to be vaccinated before carrying out work in other high risk border settings.