General information about Alert Level 3 can be found on the Covid19.govt.nz website.
We also like this simple Q and A from the Spinoff: What you can and can’t do in Covid-19 alert level three: 60 questions, answered
We've put together a few more questions and answers that disabled people may have:
Q. Am I more at risk of Covid-19 and should I be more careful?
Some people are more likely to get very sick if they get Covid-19.
Health problems that make COVID-19 more dangerous include a weak immune system, liver disease, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes mellitus, pregnant people or those on immunosuppressant medications.
If you have one of these health conditions you need to be extra careful to protect yourself against getting COVID-19. You may need to keep following the Alert Level 4 rules to keep yourself safe.
If you are not sure if you have one of these health conditions, or what activities outside the home might be safe for you given your individual health circumstances, you can call your GP or Healthline for advice
Q. What happens if my workplace is reopening and I'm asked to go back to work but I am more at risk of getting very ill if I get Covid-19?
Your employer is still able to apply for support to cover your wages while you stay home through the Essential Workers Leave Support scheme during Level 3.
Eligibility criteria include: Workers who have serious health conditions themselves, or in their household, that put them at higher risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19, and who agree with their employer that they will not work for an agreed period.
See: Covid-19 Leave Support Scheme
Q. Will Total Mobility still be free?
Total Mobility trips will continue to be free for clients up to the regional fare subsidy cap while New Zealand is at Covid-19 alert levels 3 and 4, up until 30 June 2020.
This fare policy applies for any travel that is allowed under the current alert level restrictions.
For example, during Alert Level 3 if you are going back to work or school, accessing a local business or service that is now open, visiting someone who you have an extended bubble arrangement with, or attending a funeral, tangihanga or wedding ceremony, your Total Mobility trip will be free up to the regional fare subsidy cap.
The fare policy may be reviewed before June 30 if the COVID-19 alert is reduced to levels 1 or 2.
For more information contact your local Total Mobility provider.
Q. Will my disability supports change during Alert Level 3?
There will be little change to disability to support during Alert Level 3.
One change is for people living in residential care facilities.
During Alert Level 4, there were no visitors allowed because everyone had to stay in their bubble. During Alert Level 3 some visitors will be allowed in the extended bubble.
There can only be one person visiting at a time.
People with Covid-19, or suspected Covid-19 cannot visit.
Disabled people, families, whānau, aiga and disability providers need to discuss and agree together who can visit, and what everyone needs to do to keep that bubble safe. The extended bubble should not have too many people in it.
Home management support (eg. house cleaning) that was stopped during Alert Level 4 may resume as a limited service depending on individual circumstances (eg. where not providing this service would place you at risk and the services can be provided safely).
Support services for people with personal budgets, Individualised Funding and Enhanced Individualised Funding remain largely the same, including the increased flexibility to employ family members you live with to provide disability support to you. However, it seems that there is a change to how stand down leave is paid - please check with your service provider or IF host.
Day services and facility-based respite remain closed.
More information about disability support during Alert Level 3 is being prepared by the Ministry of Health and we will update you when it is available.
- You can watch a message about moving to Alert Level 3 from DPA CE Prudence Walker on our YouTube channel
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