COVID-19

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

Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau is at Alert Level 3
Rest of New Zealand | Aotearoa is at Alert Level 2

These Alert Levels came into effect from 6am on Sunday 28 February.

Current alert level – Unite against COVID-19(external link)

Auckland at Level 3

All children and young people in schools, early learning services, and tertiary institutions in Auckland are encouraged to learn from home
All schools and early learning services (except those closed by health authorities) must be open for children who need to attend. This includes for children who cannot be supervised at home by an appropriate person
Schools are activating their distance learning plans for students who are offsite, including for those asked to stay away by health authorities. Contact your school for more details
A range of home learning resources are available on the Learning from Home website(external link). Home Learning TV can be accessed on demand(external link) or via the TVNZ App on a device (mobile phone, smart tv or tablet). Mauri Reo, Mauri Ora is also available on demand from Māori TV for primary aged tamariki(external link) and for secondary school rangatahi(external link)
After-school programmes will not be able to operate at Level 3
Some tertiary education providers may remain open, if teaching cannot happen online. Any class, workshop, etc. that cannot be delivered online must be limited to 20 people or less. Each of these groups is considered a ‘bubble’ and must not interact with any other student/staff bubbles of 20.
Sick children and adults must stay at home and seek medical advice if they have COVID-like symptoms and get tested if they are advised to do so
Physical distancing of one metre inside and two metres outside now applies
School and early learning services will have ‘bubbles’ in place
Face coverings are not required at school or on any school transport. But they are required to be worn on public transport, including by school children aged 12 and over, using such transport. Anyone choosing to wear a face mask in any setting should be supported to do so
For tertiary students and staff face coverings or masks are recommended when attending on-site activities
Auckland Ministry staff are working remotely but are available to support schools and services who need any advice

Schools, early learning services, and tertiary institutions will be in close contact with learners and whānau during this period. If you have any questions or concerns, please check the website of, or contact, your local school, early learning service, or tertiary provider.

New Zealand at Alert Level 2

All schools kura, kōhanga reo and early learning services are open and all children and young people must attend
All on-site activities at tertiary education providers can take place
Sick children and adults must stay at home and if they are unwell, self-isolating (at the request of medical authorities) or are advised by the health authorities not to return to school until their COVID-19 test results come back
Maintain physical distancing (not touching or breathing on each other) and wash hands regularly
Schools are being asked to think carefully before going ahead with any activities that bring large groups of students together
Face coverings are not required at school or on any school transport. But they must be worn on all public transport, including by any school children aged 12 and over. Anyone choosing to wear a face mask in any setting should be supported to do so
Always use the NZ COVID Tracer app when visiting any premises for whatever reason

Schools, services and tertiary providers, as well as parents and whānau can find more detailed information at:

He Pānui | Bulletins

For parents

COVID-19 information for parents and whānau(external link)

Ministry of Education COVID-19 information

Guidance – all in one place

We have summarised the existing health and safety requirements for each Alert Level into the relevant documents below:

Health and safety guidance for early learning services: Alert Levels 1–4 [PDF, 792 KB]

Health and safety guidance for playgroups: Alert Levels 1–4 [PDF, 766 KB]

Health and safety guidance for schools and kura: Alert Levels 1–4

As new information comes to hand, the information in this summary guidance might change. If this occurs, we will quickly advise you, update the summary guide for levels 1–4 and disseminate.

Our regional teams continue to be available to support you if you have any questions or concerns.

Contact our regional teams

Contact tracing in schools, kura and early learning centres

Under the COVID-19 Public Health Order, all schools, kura and early learning services are now required to display a QR code poster for the NZ COVID Tracer App in a prominent place at or near the main entrances.

The NZ COVID Tracer app remains the best way to enable fast and safe contact tracing.

Contract tracing in schools, kura and early learning centres

Find out more about the NZ COVID Tracer app(external link)

Distance learning

During a COVID-19 resurgence, tamariki may need to learn from home (or wherever they’re based). To support this, we have resources and guidance available on our Learning from Home website.

Learning From Home(external link)

More information

Last reviewed: 01 March 2021 Has this been useful? Give us your feedback