This page has information about how you can keep those around you safe, so you don't bring COVID-19 home to your family or flatmates.

  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues.
  • Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
  • Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food with sick people.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.
  • Stay home if you feel unwell. You can also use the information on the Feeling unwell page to see if you need to stay home if someone in your bubble is sick.
  • Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you have any symptoms and have been recently been overseas or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19.

Shower at the station, and put on clean clothes before you go home from a job. You should be doing this anyway - it keeps carcinogens out of your home and vehicle, as well as COVID-19.

If you can't shower at the station for some reason, go home, then get out of the clothes you were wearing and put them in the wash as soon as you get home, eg. go straight to the laundry and put those clothes in the wash immediately, then go straight to the shower. You might need to keep some spare undies in the laundry for modesty.

If you can't get clean before going home, you will need to use the same procedures for cleaning your own vehicle as those used for cleaning the appliances, so the next person to use your car doesn't have to worry.

We've looked at the situations where our people may be exposed to COVID-19, or risk spreading the virus, and have produced safety instructions and procedures to keep our people safe, including cleaning, promoting good hygiene, and providing appropriate PPE.

Our PPE is good at protecting us.

If you put on all the appropriate PPE for levels 1&2 or 3&4 properly, did CPR on a person that you know has COVID-19, then took off all your PPE properly, you can shower at the station, put on clean clothes and safely go home to your bubble. 

There are situations when you may be exposed to COVID-19 and need to self-isolate from your own bubble:

  • you got bodily fluids, like vomit or spit, on your face
  • you weren't wearing all of the PPE and were in close contact (within 2 metres of the person from more than 15 minutes) of someone who has it
  • you are a close contact of a crew member or workmate who has symptoms, and we think they might have COVID.

There's more information available about what counts as exposure at incidents and close contact.

All these steps reduce the risk to your contacts and those at home, but if you have been told you need to self-isolate, then, for their safety, you may need to self isolate within your home, especially if there are any household members who are at higher risk   If you can't make it work, talk to your local area management.

Self-isolating in your own home is going to be difficult, but you should do your very best to follow this guidance and everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face, and clean frequently touched surfaces.

Avoid close contact

  • Don't get closer than 2 metres for more than 15 minutes.
  • Don't share a bed or a room (this includes sleeping in common areas like falling asleep on the couch).
  • Keep the time you spend in shared spaces like bathrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms to an absolute minimum.  
  • Keep shared spaces well ventilated.
  • If you share a kitchen, avoid using it while anyone else is present. Take your meals back to your room to eat. It may be easier for someone else in your household to prepare your food so you can avoid the kitchen area.

No sharing

Normally, sharing is caring, but not right now!

  • Use your own toothbrush, eating and drinking utensils (including cups and glasses in the bathroom and bedroom), dishes, towels, washcloths and bed linen.
  • You should use your own toilet paper, hand towels, toothpaste and other supplies.
  • Make sure you use separate towels from other people in your house, both for drying yourself after bathing or showering and for drying your hands. Ask your family or the people you live with to remember to use their own towels.
  • Do not share food and drinks or prepare food for others.
  • Wash your clothing and dishes separate to others in your home.

Clean everything

  • Clean surfaces like kitchen benches and sink tops after you use them, and try to avoid touching them after you have cleaned them.
  • If you use a shared toilet and bathroom, it’s important that you clean them every time you use them (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). You may want to be the last to use the shower/bath in the morning or evening to make this easier on those you live with.
  • If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry your used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly, remembering to use a separate tea towel. 

Understandably, some of our operational people are concerned that their roles may put higher risk family members in contact with COVID-19.

There are protocols in place designed to keep you and your family safe. If you have a higher risk member of your household, you can remain operational, but should follow Ministry of Health guidelines(external link) on how families and households can safeguard themselves over this time.

We understand there are circumstances where further consideration might be needed, and in these cases, please discuss this with your manager.

We have also created a page on the Portal for keeping yourself and those around you safe(external link). This includes protocols and processes to help keep your and your whānau safe. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your region HR Manager(external link).

We know that this is a really stressful time for everyone, so don't forget that we have advice and support services(external link) to look after you and your whānau's wellbeing.

It's more than just physical safety

We know that this is a really stressful time for everyone, so don't forget that we have advice and support services to look after you and your whānau's wellbeing

Last modified: