Hi Everyone,
Hope you are all keeping well 😊
As you may know the Government has announced New Zealand will move out of Alert Level 4 lockdown at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April and ECE and schools will be able to open soon after we move into Alert Level 3. That being said, we want to emphasise that social interactions in Alert Level 3 is still the same as Level 4. If you intend to work, please keep your bubble size limited to family and work. If you do not intend to work, please keep your bubble size limited to family only.
What does it mean for relievers teachers? We understand that right now some of you will be asking this question. Others may even be feeling insecure about returning to work. These are very reasonable concerns and Jitbug wants to protect and support our people in the face of an ever evolving COVID-19 situation.
Please find below a list of measures that we will undertake together regarding what relieving work will look like in Level 3
- For relievers who wish to work in Level 3, you will be limited to only one centre. This means that you should have only 2 bubbles – your family and the centre. This ensures that we are keeping our bubbles to a minimum and allows for simpler contact tracing if need be. You are only allowed to switch and relieve at a different centre only after 2 weeks from when you last relieved at the old centre and Jitbug is confident that during the 2 weeks of not working at any other centre, you have maintained a strict lockdown procedure of yourself and family within your bubble.
- For relievers who work for multiple agencies and wish to work in Level 3, we ask that you choose one agency and one centre to work for. We don’t mean to restrict you but in the interest of keeping our bubble size to a minimum, we feel this is the best way.
- Please take a diary with you and record the interactions you’ve had constantly on a daily basis. This makes for easier contact tracing if need be. This is very IMPORTANT.
- Please try to make arrangements to drive a car to work rather than take public transport. If that is not possible, please take precautions. Wear a mask if you have one and be mindful of what you touch. Try to maintain a 2m distance whenever possible. The intent is to limit your bubble to just your family and one centre.
- Whichever centre you end up working for, please be supportive and accommodative to their needs. Some may not even know what a centre should look like in a Level 3. I do not blame them and neither should you. Be supportive and be kind.
- If you feel unwell even in the slightest, please get yourself tested. Please do not go to work. You will continue to receive your average wage subsidy.
For those who do not feel comfortable working for whatever reason, please do not feel obliged to work. You will still receive your average wage subsidy. For those who do work, you will be paid for the hours you have worked in addition to the average wage subsidy.
We will continue to update and inform you of any changes as they happen. If you have any questions or suggestions on how we can be more effective and supportive towards your needs, please let us know. For further details you can click on the links below https://covid19.govt.nz/latest-updates/new-zealand-be-at-alert-level-3-from-tuesday-28-april/
We will continue to update guidance in line with MOE and Public Health. Thank you for your patience and support during this time. Take care and stay safe everyone. We can get through this together!