FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
We share below a number of recent developments. As always, we rely on FIVS Members to apprise us of noteworthy matters. Please contact the FIVS Secretariat with items that may be of interest.
New Zealand Wine COVID-19 Guidance
After a strict lockdown, New Zealand has reportedly had considerable success in containing the spread of the novel coronavirus. As a part of their efforts in doing so, they have implemented a four-level alert system. New Zealand reportedly moved to Alert Level 1, the lowest level of threat, on 09 June 2020. The four tiers are described as follows:
- Alert Level 4 means there is a large amount of widespread community transference and the virus is unable to be contained and appropriately tracked. At this alert level, the strictest form of lockdown will be implemented.
- Alert Level 3 means that there is community transmission occurring, but it is able to be effectively managed and monitored through contact tracing and tests. Most non-essential activities will be prohibited.
- Alert Level 2 means that there still is a present risk of the virus, but it is mostly contained with the exception of a few isolated clusters. This alert level allows for a return to most parts of normal life with public health precautions taken and the prohibition of large gatherings.
- Alert Level 1 indicates that the virus is completely contained within New Zealand’s borders. To prevent transference from other countries, border activity will be restricted and monitored.
New Zealand Wine (NZW) has made the following resources available to FIVS members for wineries and vineyards to continue to operate in regions still under higher threat levels. We have added this material to FIVS’s coronavirus page for your future reference.
- The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries released a letter on 31 March 2020 addressing New Zealand’s lockdown and provided some guidance on operating an ‘essential business’ while keeping workers’ safety as a priority.
- NZW compiled a document with answers to frequently-asked questions by winegrowers on operating an ‘essential business.’ This document, along with a set of suggested guidelines, provides some answers on precisely what functions are ‘essential’ and how they can be performed with appropriate health precautions taken into account.
- NZW has also created a similar set of guidelines for minimising the spread of COVID-19 in wineries and vineyards.
- NZW recommends fastidious documentation of all ‘essential’ activities performed during Alert Level 4 and has provided a template for this kind of documentation.
- NZW has issued guidance in complying with WorkSafe and operating under Alert Level 4.
- NZW created a guide for winegrowers detailing what activities they are able to perform at each alert level.
- NZW has also provided additional specific guidance on alcohol advertising and promotion during Alert Levels 3 & 4 in compliance with New Zealand law.