Critical services businesses provide key infrastructure, and are part of critical supply chains.
Businesses can access the Close Contact Exemption Scheme to ensure their critical services functions can continue.
During Phases Two and Three of the Omicron response, employees at businesses who are registered critical services providers who are vaccinated and asymptomatic close contacts of a COVID-19 case will be able to continue to work, as long as they return a negative rapid antigen test prior to each day/shift they are at work during the isolation period. They must follow specific health protocols during this period and will only be allowed to go to work – not anywhere else.
Employees of businesses, who are participating in the scheme, will be able to collect free Rapid Antigen Test kits from a collection site.
The Ministry of Health website has details regarding the process for collecting and undertaking a Rapid Antigen Test, as part of the Close Contact Exemption Scheme.
Rapid antigen testing — Ministry of Health
As a Business How do I register as a Critical Service?
Businesses are required to self-assess if they meet the criteria for being a critical services business.
The Ministry of Health has developed an online tool to allow businesses to determine if they qualify and then register on the Close Contact Exemption Scheme Critical Services Register.
To register under the Close Contact Exemption Scheme, you will need to have a RealMe login and use the following link.
Register for Close Contact Exemption Scheme
Should you require more information on registering for the Close Contact Exemption Scheme please contact us.
Mike McNab mike.mcnab@dfkogc.com
Sanjay Kumar sanjay.kumar@dfkogc.com
Anit Patel anit.patel@dfkogc.com
Shane Browning shane.browning@dfkogc.com
