Auckland joined the rest of New Zealand at Alert Level 1 at 11:59pm on Wednesday 7th October 2020.
United Fresh is working with a wide range of organisations to support the New Zealand Food Safety & Science Research Centre literature review updates.
NZFSSRC - POTENTIAL FOR FOODBORNE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19/ LITERATURE REVIEW UPDATE - July 2020
A guidance document regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has also been developed by the NZFSSRC.
NZFSSRC - COVID-19 Guidance Document for PPE
General & Media Enquiries: Paula Dudley, General Manager, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated info@unitedfresh.co.nz
Supply Chain: Jerry Prendergast, President, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated, info@unitedfresh.co.nz
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Boxes for Community Groups: Stephanie Wrathall, Project Manager, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated stephanie@5aday.co.nz
Food Safety: Anne-Marie Arts, Food Safety Representative, United Fresh Technical Advisory Group amarts@agrichain-centre.com
Technical Queries: Dr Hans Maurer, Chair, United Fresh Technical Advisory Group hmaurer@agrichain-centre.com
Horticulture New Zealand has information and resources specifically for New Zealand Growers, link here.
Download COVID-19 Hand-washing Poster
Download Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19 Poster
If you're sick
Maintain good hygiene
Face coverings help keep you and others safe
Keep track of where you’ve been and who you've seen
At Alert Level 1, there is still a risk of COVID-19 returning to the community. The government encourages you to continue tracking where you’ve been and who you’ve seen to help with contact tracing, if required.
Keep your distance
COVID-19 is contained at Alert Level 1, but it’s still worthwhile to keep a safe distance from people you don’t know while out and about. This will help to minimise the spread of COVID-19 if community transmission returns.
The Ministry of Health has released the NZ COVID Tracer app to support contact tracing in New Zealand.
Any business or public facing organisation with a New Zealand Business Number can generate a QR code poster for each of their premises through the Business Connect online service.
NZ COVID Tracer is available from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
How to download the NZ COVID Tracer app
How to register and get QR code posters
Information about contact tracing in New Zealand
According to the NZ Food Safety Science & Research Centre and MPI, so far, there is no evidence that humans have been infected by swallowing the virus in or on food or drink, though it has been found in a small number of faecal samples. The strong acid in the stomach is thought to destroy this type of virus.
The European Food Safety Authority have also stated: There is no evidence that food is a likely source or root transmission of COVID-19.
The World Health Organisation & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States has put together this document: COVID-19 and food safety: guidance for food businesses, download here.
Primary sector information, link here.
MPI key advice for food businesses (including the pan-fresh fruit and vegetable industry) is that “it is unlikely that COVID-19 can be transmitted through food, and there isn’t evidence to date of this happening. It is more important than ever that food businesses apply strict food preparation and hygiene practices.
For more COVID-19 food safety information and updates, visit www.mpi.govt.nz/coronavirus-and-food-safety
Where businesses want to take extra measures to protect their staff and customers, they should do so in line with Ministry of Health advice on social distancing and limiting the spread of the virus – contact the Healthline team on 0800 358 5453, visit www.health.govt.nz, or the all of Government COVID-19 website www.covid19.govt.nz”.
Unite Against COVID-19 - Government Platforms:
COVID-19 Economic Response Package, link here.
EMA - Obligations for Employers to manage Novel Coronavirus, link here.
MBIE - Information for Businesses, link here.
NZTE - Information for Exporters, link here.
WORKSAFE - COVID-19 Safety Plan, What you need to think about, link here.
WORKSAFE - COVID-19 Alert Level 1 Approach, link here.