COVID-19

Information and advice for students, whānau, and the education sector.

This page was updated on Friday 22 May at 5:30 pm.

Alert Level 2

Schools and early learning services are open on-site to all under Alert Level 2. All are safe to attend and additional public health measures are in place. It is important that all children can come to school and early learning.

Tertiary organisations are able to open on-site at Alert Level 2. But students should check their organisations’ opening plans. Most are organising a phased return to on-site learning, while maintaining distance learning options.

People will no longer need to stick to their bubbles at Alert Level 2 and can meet with friends and family. But people need to play it safe and continue to take sensible health and safety precautions.

All children and young people can attend early learning services, schools and kura on-site, including students in years 11 to 13. This includes students of Residential Special Schools, Day Special Schools and satellite units. The only exceptions are children or young people who are sick, have any COVID-19 symptoms, are in isolation, or are awaiting the result of a test.

Playground, sports equipment use and sports, including contact sports, can resume at Level 2 under certain conditions. School transport services will also return to normal schedules. The ongoing safety of drivers and students and the ability to contact trace will be a priority at Alert Level 2.

Playcentres and playgroups can meet at Alert Level 2, provided the public health measures for early learning services are in place. School hostels return to full occupation at Level 2, and OSCAR, along with other before and after school programmes, can resume. The Food in Schools programme will also be fully operational (with extra health provisions).

Distance learning will be available for those who need to remain at home and Ministry staff will continue to support children with learning support needs where they are required to remain at home. Students and parents with any queries about distance learning for these students should contact their school or kura.

Distance learning

Strong public health control measures will be in place in all schools, including learners and staff staying home if they are sick, contact tracing, and safe hygiene requirements. If a school or early learning service has a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, they must close for 72 hours to allow contact tracing, and then potentially for a further 14 days. Physical distancing will remain important in schools where possible.

Ministry regional staff will be supporting individual schools and services to develop and implement their Alert Level 2 plans and provide information to parents, caregivers and whānau.