Information on COVID-19
Protect yourself and others with good hygiene
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues. Put used tissues in a bin or bag immediately.
Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds) and dry thoroughly:
- before eating or handling food;
- after using the toilet;
- after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses; and
- after caring for sick people.
Avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Also avoid personal contact with sick people, such as kissing and sharing cups or food.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.
Stay home if you feel unwell. Minimise close contact even in your home.
People living in communal spaces must be especially careful with distancing, cleaning and general hygiene.
- Download a Ministry of Health poster on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 [1.8MB PDF].
Practice low-touch shopping:
- Do not handle things you are not buying;
- Be aware of how you are touching things like bank cards, money, ATMs and Eftpos machines; and
- Wash your hands as soon as you can after touching things others have touched.
If you are a business or provide a service: Increase your cleaning routine in between customers.
Call Healthline (0800 358 5453) or phone your medical practice if you have COVID-19 symptoms. These include a high fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Stay informed from reliable sources about COVID-19
- Get the latest health updates and advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) – Ministry of Health.
- Get help to look after your mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 (Mental Health Foundation).
- Find out about the Getting Through Together campaign from All Right?.
- Visit your local DHB website for important hospital and health hub information, such as visitor restrictions, parking and shuttle services.
- Visit your local council website for information on their essential services (such as rubbish and recycling collection and public transport) and also about upcoming rates payments.
Local public health response to novel coronavirus COVID-19
Community and Public Health stood up their EOC in just two hours in late January 2020 in response to COVID-19 with staff ceasing ‘business as usual’ work. Every effort, hour and individual has been focused on the response since then, and will likely be the last organisation to wind down. Our staff have been involved in the local COVID-19 response in many ‘behind the scenes’ ways across Canterbury, South Canterbury, West Coast and the Chatham Islands.
