Note: Due to the nature of this Disease and the everchanging status in New Zealand, this policy may be updated at any time. Please check back regularly for new information.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered virus that emerged in late 2019.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring hospitalisation. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems, are more likely to develop serious illness.
Less common symptoms may include:
The virus can spread through:
Read more here.
Several safe and effective vaccines have been developed to prevent people from getting seriously ill from COVID-19.
Vaccination is an important step for people to protect themselves and the community against the virus. The New Zealand Homestay (NZH) encourages all homestay participants to receive an approved COVID-19 vaccination if it is considered safe for you to do so on the advice of a health practitioner.
All hosts (including residents aged 12 years and over who are eligible to receive the vaccine) and guests should update their COVID-19 vaccination information on their NZH profile as soon as possible so we can appropriately match participants for upcoming placements.
International students travelling to New Zealand will need to follow New Zealand Government health and border requirements.
More information can be found here.
Check local advice where you live, study and work. Do it all!
Healthy habits help stop the spread of viruses:
You can call Healthline at any time for advice and support on 0800 358 5453.
If a guest is unwell and/or has been exposed to COVID-19, they will be required to postpone their arrival for the placement. They will need to isolate (or complete Government mandated quarantine if ordered) and provide a negative COVID test prior to arriving in the home.
If a host is unwell and/or has been exposed to COVID-19 prior to a guest arriving at their home, the placement will need to be cancelled and the guest placed with an alternative host to avoid putting the guest at risk of contracting the virus.
As we move towards living COVID Safe, it is important that anyone who is unwell stays at home.
All residents should also continue to practice good hygiene. This applies to guests in placements as well.
If any residents or guests have cold or flu like symptoms seek medical advice and test for COVID-19. Anyone should get tested, even if your symptoms are mild.
If any residents (including guests) in an NZH placement test positive to COVID-19 they must isolate as per New Zealand Government requirements. Others in the home should follow the Advice for Household Contacts. Please ensure you contact NZH as soon as possible to advise of your situation if you are in an active placement.
All participants must commit to COVID-safe practices to help safeguard the health and wellbeing of everyone in the homestay.
NZH will provide the necessary facility for host families and guests to register their COVID-19 vaccination status on their NZH profile, which will be referred to during the placement process.
As the transmission of COVID-19 may occur in a variety of ways and circumstances, and despite the best efforts and precautions taken, NZH cannot be held responsible if a guest or member of a host family is exposed to COVID-19 during a placement.
Resources
Reviewed: March 2023