Mask Update - 13 September 2022

A new long-term strategy for COVID-19

New Zealand will move to a new, long-term approach to COVID-19. These changes have been made based on public health advice and reflect high levels of immunity and declining case numbers across New Zealand.

This new approach will only result in minor changes to the way we operate.

The positive news is that household contacts of a person with COVID-19 do not need to be isolated, but instead are asked to complete a RAT test each day for five days. Therefore, ākonga who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms should continue to attend. It is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends.

Information on how to get RAT kits can be found here: Request a RAT– Ministry of Health

Mask wearing is no longer required and is optional at Mairehau High School.

All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses, including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.