COVID-19 Updates and Resources for the New Zealand Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Industry

Auckland moves into ALERT LEVEL 3 on Wednesday 12th August at 12pm (midday)

The rest of New Zealand moves into ALERT LEVEL 2 on Wednesday 12th August at 12pm (midday)

A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 3

Download A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 3

This document will be updated as we receive new information from Government officials.

A Guide To Keeping Our People Well & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2

Download A Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Safe During Alert Level 2

This document will be updated as we receive new information from Government officials.

Available Documents

Potential for Foodborne Transmission of COVID-19: Literature Review Update - July 2020

United Fresh is working with a wide range of organisations to support the New Zealand Food Safety & Science Research Centre literature review updates.

NZFSSRC - POTENTIAL FOR FOODBORNE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19/ LITERATURE REVIEW UPDATE - July 2020

NZFSSRC - COVID-19 Guidance Document for PPE

A guidance document regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has also been developed by the NZFSSRC.

NZFSSRC - COVID-19 Guidance Document for PPE

United Fresh COVID-19 Contacts:

General & Media Enquiries: Paula Dudley, General Manager, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated info@unitedfresh.co.nz

Supply Chain: Jerry Prendergast, President, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated, info@unitedfresh.co.nz

Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Boxes for Community Groups: Stephanie Wrathall, Project Manager, United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated stephanie@5aday.co.nz

Food Safety: Anne-Marie Arts, Food Safety Representative, United Fresh Technical Advisory Group amarts@agrichain-centre.com

Technical Queries: Dr Hans Maurer, Chair, United Fresh Technical Advisory Group hmaurer@agrichain-centre.com

Horticulture New Zealand has information and resources specifically for New Zealand Growers, link here.

United Fresh Covid-19 Workplace Posters

United Fresh Hand-washing Poster

Download COVID-19 Hand-washing Poster

Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19 Poster

Download Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19 Poster

Alert Level 3 — Restrict - Auckland moves into to Alert Level 3 on Wednesday 13th August at 12pm (midday)

High risk the disease is not contained.

Masks

The Government has updated the information around wearing masks and now recommends people wear masks at Alert Level 3 if they are unable to keep a 2 metre distance from others, you will find this information here https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/masks/

Risk assessment

Community transmission might be happening.
New clusters may emerge but can be controlled through testing and contact tracing.

Range of measures that can be applied locally or nationally

People instructed to stay home in their bubble other than for essential personal movement — including to go to work, school if they have to or for local recreation.
Physical distancing of 2 metres outside home including on public transport, or 1 metre in controlled environments like schools and workplaces.
Bubbles must stay within their immediate household bubble but can expand this to reconnect with close family/whānau, or bring in caregivers or support isolated people. This extended bubble should remain exclusive.
Schools between years 1 to 10 and Early Childhood Education centres can safely open but will have limited capacity. Children should learn at home if possible.
People must work from home unless that is not possible.
Businesses can open premises, but cannot physically interact with customers.
Low-risk local recreation activities are allowed.
Public venues are closed. This includes libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds, markets.
Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed but only for wedding services, funerals and tangihanga. Physical distancing and public health measures must be maintained.
Healthcare services use virtual, non-contact consultations where possible.
Inter-regional travel is highly limited to, for example, essential workers, with limited exemptions for others.
People at high risk of severe illness such as older people and those with existing medical conditions are encouraged to stay at home where possible, and take additional precautions when leaving home. They may choose to work.

Alert Level 2 — Reduce - New Zealand (excluding Auckland) moves into Alert Level 2 on Wednesday 13th August at 12pm (midday)

The disease is contained, but the risk of community transmission remains.

Risk assessment

Household transmission could be occurring.
Single or isolated cluster outbreaks.

Range of measures that can be applied locally or nationally

People can reconnect with friends and family, and socialise in groups of up to 100, go shopping or travel domestically if following public health guidance.
Keep physical distancing of 2 metres from people you don’t know when out in public or in retail stores. Keep 1 metre physical distancing in controlled environments like workplaces, where practical.
No more than 100 people at gatherings, including weddings, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.
Businesses can open to the public if following public health guidance including physical distancing and record keeping. Alternative ways of working are encouraged where possible.
Hospitality businesses must keep groups of customers separated, seated and served by a single person.
Maximum of 100 people at a time in a defined space.
Sport and recreation activities are allowed, subject to conditions on gatherings, record keeping, and physical distancing where practical.
Public venues such as museums, libraries and pools can open if they comply with public health measures and ensure 1 metre physical distancing and record keeping.
Event facilities, including cinemas, stadiums, concert venues and casinos can have more than 100 people at a time, provided there are no more than 100 in a defined space, and the groups do not mix.
Health and disability care services operate as normally as possible.
It is safe to send your children to schools, early learning services and tertiary education. There will be appropriate measures in place.
People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, for example those with underlying medical conditions, especially if not well-controlled, and older people, are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home. They may work if they agree with their employer that they can do so safely.

Link to further information Alert Level 1

COVID-19 Official App

The Ministry of Health has released the NZ COVID Tracer app to support contact tracing in New Zealand.

Any business or public facing organisation with a New Zealand Business Number can generate a QR code poster for each of their premises through the Business Connect online service.

NZ COVID Tracer is available from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

How to download the NZ COVID Tracer app

How to register and get QR code posters

Information about contact tracing in New Zealand

Food Safety:

According to the NZ Food Safety Science & Research Centre and MPI, so far, there is no evidence that humans have been infected by swallowing the virus in or on food or drink, though it has been found in a small number of faecal samples. The strong acid in the stomach is thought to destroy this type of virus.

The European Food Safety Authority have also stated: There is no evidence that food is a likely source or root transmission of COVID-19.

The World Health Organisation & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States has put together this document: COVID-19 and food safety: guidance for food businesses, download here.

Key Information from MPI:

Primary sector information, link here.

MPI key advice for food businesses (including the pan-fresh fruit and vegetable industry) is that “it is unlikely that COVID-19 can be transmitted through food, and there isn’t evidence to date of this happening. It is more important than ever that food businesses apply strict food preparation and hygiene practices.

For more COVID-19 food safety information and updates, visit www.mpi.govt.nz/coronavirus-and-food-safety

Where businesses want to take extra measures to protect their staff and customers, they should do so in line with Ministry of Health advice on social distancing and limiting the spread of the virus – contact the Healthline team on 0800 358 5453, visit www.health.govt.nz, or the all of Government COVID-19 website www.covid19.govt.nz”.

Key Websites & Information

Unite Against COVID-19 - Government Platforms:

Website

COVID-19 Economic Response Package, link here.

EMA - Obligations for Employers to manage Novel Coronavirus, link here.

MBIE - Information for Businesses, link here.

NZTE - Information for Exporters, link here.

WORKSAFE - COVID-19 Safety Plan, What you need to think about, link here.

WORKSAFE - COVID-19 Alert Level 1 Approach, link here.

26 Jun 2020

United Fresh Food Safety Update June 2020 - Research, COVID-19 & Fresh Produce Food Safety Framework

This edition discusses activities and initiatives underway in the food safety and traceability arena over the last year. We examine the increasing collaboration across industry in food safety and a proposed New Zealand Fresh Produce Food Safety Framework Research Project.

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09 Jun 2020

COVID-19 Update – United Fresh Business Guide at ALERT LEVEL 1

Now we have moved into Alert Level 1 everyone can return without restriction to work, school, sports and domestic travel, and you can get together with as many people as you want.

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22 May 2020

Potential for Foodborne Transmission of COVID-19: Literature Review Update - May 2020

The New Zealand Food Safety Science Research Centre (NZFSSRC) have released an update of the potential for foodborne transmission of Covid-19 literature review.

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28 Apr 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE – ALERT LEVEL 3 - Updated Guide & Business Guidelines

Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well During ALERT LEVEL 3 and Essential Businesses to stay on restricted access during ALERT LEVEL 3

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16 Apr 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE - Government announces what Alert Level 3 will look like

The government shared earlier today the work that has been done on updating the COVID-19 Alert Levels. You will find the updated levels here.

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15 Apr 2020

5000 5+ A Day Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Boxes Diverted to Families During Covid-19

Fresh produce deemed for the Fruit and Vegetables in Schools (FIS) initiative is now being diverted to families in need during Covid-19 lockdown.

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08 Apr 2020

NZFSSRC Potential For Foodborne Transmission Of Covid-19 Literature Review Update - April 2020

United Fresh is cooperating with wide range of food industries and organisations to support the New Zealand Food Safety & Science Research Centre literature review update Potential For Foodborne Transmission Of Covid-19.

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08 Apr 2020

COVID19.govt.nz Website Produce Washing Advice Updated

The government website for COVID-19 has been updated with the correct information for consumers around the washing of fresh fruit and vegetables once they get them home. We had asked them to remove their advice of using soapy water last week so it is great to see this has happened.

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30 Mar 2020

United Fresh Urges Kiwis to Eat More Fresh Produce and to Wash It First

New Zealanders can safely purchase fresh fruit and vegetables during COVID-19 and our country’s only pan-produce organisation that represents the entire value-chain, United Fresh, is reminding Kiwis to wash all produce as you normally would by rinsing it under the tap before consuming it.

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27 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Update - MPI Starts Site Visits & Physical Distancing Poster

MPI starting site visits today, Friday 27th March and United Fresh Physical Distancing poster shared.

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26 Mar 2020

MPI answers key COVID-19 questions for fresh fruit and vegetable industry

MPI answers questions about 2m distancing rule, access to protection equipment, workers over 70, independant F&V shops and movement to & from work.

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25 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Update - MPI's Register for Safe Practice and Fruit & Vegetable Shops Closing

As New Zealand moves into National Alert Level 4 in response to COVID-19, the primary industries have been included on the list of essential services and fruit and vegetable stores to close.

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25 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Alert Level 4 and UF Guide to Business Continuity

COVID Alert Level 4 Description & United Fresh Guide to Keeping Our People & Workplaces Well – Continuity Planning for Businesses

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23 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Alert Level 3

The government has now put New Zealand into Alert Level 3 (and indicated that this will go to Alert Level 4 in 48 hours).

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23 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Alert Level 2 Update – Government Asks Commerce Commission For Flexibility

As we all work together as a nation and industry to contain the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to help protect our people, United Fresh will continue to provide updates for our industry to assist with business continuity.

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19 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Update including New Government Information Platforms

The government has created a website that has everything you need to know about COVID-19 in one place.

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17 Mar 2020

Literature Review - Foodborne Transmission of COVID-19

Our colleagues at the New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre (NZFSSRC) have shared their Literature Review on Foodborne Transmission of COVID-19 for the food industry.

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05 Mar 2020

COVID-19 Update for United Fresh Members

We are all very concerned about the potential impact COVID-19 could have on our businesses. The purpose of this update is to distil the key messages of what we need to consider.

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