COVID-19

Links to COVID-19 information and resources are on this web page, informed by our regular contact with Government agencies including Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health, ACC and the Physiotherapy Board. For the most current and accurate information please refer to Government websites. PNZ member emails on COVID-19 are available here.

Please note this is a summary of current guidance as we understand it and not a substitute for legal advice. Please seek advice from a lawyer should you wish to understand how the information applies to your specific circumstances.


Updated August 2023

As of 12 September 2022 the Government removed the COVID-19 Protection Framework and from 15 August 2023 all COVID-19 requirements have been removed. Information for the public is available at covid19.govt.nz and for health professionals on the Te Whatu Ora website, including advice for community allied health, scientific and technical providers.


Infection Prevention and Control

Te Whatu Ora has guidance on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices and PPE in health and disability care settings for COVID-19 available at tewhatuora.govt.nz. This includes mask use and respiratory risk assessment guidance for healthcare workers and settings, identifying use of PPE, including masks, is considered part of Standard Precautions which are a set of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures required by healthcare workers for all healthcare interactions.

Additionally the PNZ Cardio-Respiratory Special Interest Group (CRSIG) advise that particulate respirators (P2/N95) are recommended when treating an individual with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, noting that particulate masks will not be effective without a tight seal. Information on fit testing providers is available at nzohs.org.nz.


Vaccination Mandates

The vaccination mandate for health and disability workers ended on 26 September 2022. A Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health message states that "the mandate is no longer needed now the affected workforce has a very high vaccination rate (estimated to be greater than 95 percent), and vaccination has a reduced overall efficacy against Omicron transmission."

"Some businesses and organisations may choose to continue COVID-19 vaccination requirements through employment contracts - for example, the Te Whatu Ora active vaccination policies across each of the districts and entities will remain in place until a national policy has been agreed."


Business Support

Government information on COVID-19 support for businesses is available at business.govt.nz and PNZ has a webpage with COVID-19 Business Information and FAQs. PNZ also has COVID-19 Telehealth Guidelines including a Telehealth for Physiotherapists webinar with Dr Angela Cadogan and Practical Tips to Get You Up and Running with Dr Mark Fulcher.


Mental Wellbeing

The covid19.govt.nz website offers advice for looking after your mental wellbeingTe Pou o te Whakaaro Nui have resources to help cope with COVID-19, and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand have a web page on support to get through COVID-19.


Rehabilitative Interventions in COVID-19 Survivors 

This document provides an expert-based opinion on Early and Short-Term Rehabilitative Interventions (After the Acute Hospital Setting) in COVID-19 Survivors. Please note this is a living document. Information is in the document on how input from peers can be sent to the group.


BMS Insurance

A document from BMS on COVID-19 is available here. Please note the following advice regarding BMS insurance and telehealth services. Telehealth is an acceptable practice provided it’s considered within the scope of your individual practice. Your professional indemnity policy with BMS has a jurisdictional limitation within New Zealand. The policy terms and conditions will still apply in the event of a claim." BMS can be contacted at 0800 999 267 and pnz@bmsgroup.com.


Older Adult Super Seven Strength and Balance Exercises

In response to COVID-19, a team of DHB clinical leaders identified a need for an exercise programme designed to be done safely at home for older adults known to community services. Collated by Liz Binns and Denise Taylor (AUT University), with input from Ricky Bell (Waikato Institute of Technology), John Parsons (The University of Auckland) and a number of DHB colleagues, the Super Seven Strength and Balance Exercises are available here.


Further Information

World Physiotherapy have also collated COVID-19 resources at world.physio. Please follow Te Whatu Ora advice on COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment.

PNZ hosted a December 2021 webinar on delivering physiotherapy under the COVID-19 Protection Framework with law firm Duncan Cotterill and insurance partners BMS, with further guidance in our COVID-19 member emails. MBIE have general advice on managing the impact of COVID-19 cases at your business and our employment support partner Humankind have provided a COVID-19 guide to supporting and paying your employees.

A Clinical Rehabilitation Guideline for People with Long COVID in Aotearoa New Zealand is available at health.govt.nz, with many thanks to the Cardio-Respiratory Special Interest Group (CRSIG) for their contribution to this guideline and in particular CRSIG Chair Jen Mepham who was on the Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health Expert Advisory Group.

The CRSIG have created Respiratory Physiotherapy Guidelines for Managing Patients with COVID-19 Infection and Returning to functional activities and exercise after COVID-19 flowchart. They have also provided links to Physiotherapy Management for COVID-19 in the Acute Hospital Setting and Respiratory Physiotherapy in Patients with COVID-19 Infection in Acute Setting. The Paediatric Special Interest Group (PSIG) have guidance for physiotherapists working in schools.


    Page updated January 2024