Please complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment Questionnaire if you:

  • Test Positive for COVID-19
  • Are a Household Contact
  • Have a Workplace Exposure

Complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment Questionnaire.

If you require assistance to complete the questionnaire or have any queries please contact the Employee COVID Response Centre on 0800 33 88 22.

What to do if you are sick or a contact

If you test positive for COVID-19, are a household close contact or think you have been exposed at work, please speak to your manager as a first step, then take a look at the scenarios and what actions you need to take below.

 

ScenariosWhat you need to doNext StepsLeave Options
I have respiratory symptoms (Cold/Flu/COVID-19)
  1. Tell your manager 
  2. Get a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). If you don't already have a RAT kit at home, you can collect it from a community testing centre or arrange to collect some from Occupational Health
  3. Wait for the test result: 
    • Negative - see return to work guidance (on the right) 
    • Positive - follow the advice below for 'I'm COVID-19 positive'
  4. Record your result with MoH  https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/
Your RAT was negative for COVID-19: 
If you have a have a condition that could be confused with COVID-19 like symptoms e.g. Asthma or hayfever, you can come to work if you have completed a rapid antigen test which has returned a negative result, your symptoms are mild, and you feel well enough to return.
 
If you do not have a history of symptoms (e.g. asthma, allergies), return to work if symptoms resolve or are mild AND after three negative Rapid Antigen Tests, 24 hours apart, or negative PCR at 48 hours.
Sick Leave if unrelated to COVID-19
 
COVID Paid Special Leave if you test positive
 
I've started feeling sick during my shift
  1. Tell your manager
  2. Complete a RAT (if you don’t have any RATs please source some via your Manager)
  3. Once you get the results:
    • Negative - see return to work guidance (on the right)
    • Positive - follow the advice below for 'I'm COVID-19 positive'
  4. Record your result with MoH https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/
    Your RAT was negative for COVID-19:
    If you start to feel unwell during work however feel well enough to continue to work, please wear your mask indoors and repeat a rapid antigen test the following day.
     
    You can return to work if symptoms resolve or are mild AND after three negative Rapid Antigen Tests, 24 hours apart, or negative PCR at 48 hours.
     
    If you have a have a condition that could be confused with COVID-19 like symptoms e.g. Asthma or hayfever, you can come to work if you have completed a rapid antigen test which has returned a negative result, your symptoms are mild, and you feel well enough to return.
    Sick Leave if unrelated to COVID-19
     
    COVID Paid Special Leave if you test positive
     
    I'm COVID-19 positive
    1. Tell your manager 
    2. Complete Qualtrix questionnaire
    3. Record your result with MoH https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/
    4. Complete at least 3 days away from work.
    5. Two negative RATs on consecutive days (start testing from day 3 at the earliest).
    You can return to work on Day 5 if complete 2 consecutive negative RATs 24 hours apart and feel well enough.
    Until day ten:
    • Wear your mask indoors at all times until day 10 after symptom onset.
    • Practice hygiene measures and distancing where possible.
    • Be mindful of others in shared spaces.
    • If you need to use shared transport to get to work, please wear a mask
     
    You can return to work on day 8 if you feel well enough. You do not need to have a negative RAT to return to work on day 8. 
     
    Some of our kaimahi can return earlier this is a manager-led decision in collaboration with the staff member – please discuss this with your manager. 
    COVID Paid Special Leave
    I am a Manager of a COVID-19 positive staff member
    If someone comes to you with COVID-19 please offer them as much support as possible. Ensure they rest if they are sick where possible. 
     
    Offer them the following contact:
    • Contact RAISE (EAP) on 0800 735 343 for free support.
    • For health advice call Healthline on 0800 611 116
    • Need to talk? Call or text 1737, any time, for the National Telephone Counselling Service.
     
    Once your staff member has completed the COVID-19 self-assessment tool questionnaire their return to work guidance will be sent to them and you.
     

    See the above scenario “I’m COVID-19 positive” for details.

     

    If you have any concerns, contact Occupational Health to discuss these options further
    N/A
    I’ve had COVID-19 but have developed new symptoms
    28 days or less since your last infection
    Stay home and see your doctor if necessary.
    You do not need to take a rapid antigen test (RAT).
    Return to work when well.
     
    29 days or more since your last infection
    If a person develops new symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and it’s 29 days or more since a previous infection, it’s possible they have a reinfection with COVID-19 and they should test using a RAT. Count your 29 days from when your symptoms started or when you tested positive, whichever came first.
    Follow “I have respiratory symptoms (Cold/Flu/COVID-19)” guidance.
    COVID Paid Special Leave' if you're home and awaiting results after 28 days.
    I'm a household contact (i.e. Live with or spent more than 4 hours inside a house with someone who has COVID-19)
    1. Tell your manager 
    2. Complete Qualtrix questionnaire
    3. Take a rapid antigen test before starting your shift each day for 5 days from the day the person with COVID-19 tested positive (Day 0). If you are no longer in the same house, you will still need to do this for 5 days.
    4. Record your result with MoH - https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/
    5. If your test is negative you can continue to work following the return to work guidance on the right
    After the case's day 5, a pre-shift RAT is strongly recommended until day 10 and while there is an active case in the household. 
     
    Until day ten:
    • Wear your mask indoors at all times until day 10 after symptom onset.
    • Practice hygiene measures and distancing where possible.
    • Be mindful of others in shared spaces.
    • Continue to be vigilant for symptoms. 
     
    COVID Paid Special Leave if you test positive
    Someone I live with has COVID-19 symptoms
    1. Tell them to get tested 
    2. You can continue to work as normal unless they test positive 
    3. If they test positive, follow the advice above for ‘I am a household contact'
     N/A
    One of my work colleagues has been identified as a household contact
    1. Ask them to complete Qualtrix questionnaire
    2. You can continue to work as normal
     N/A
    I had a high risk COVID-19 exposure at work without appropriate PPE
    1. Tell your manager 
    2. Complete Qualtrix questionnaire
    3. Be aware of your symptoms; stay home and get tested if you develop symptoms
    • Take a rapid antigen test each day for 5 days from the day of exposure
    • If your test is negative, you can continue to work.
     
    COVID Paid Special Leave' if you're home and awaiting results

    Last updated 8 November 2023.