The Ministry of Health has updated its advice around possible reinfection with COVID-19 within 90 days of a previous infection, in light of evidence that reinfections can occur earlier than 90 days.
The new advice states that if a person develops new COVID-19 symptoms, and it has been 29 days or more since their previous infection, it is possible that it is a reinfection with COVID-19, and they should take a rapid antigen test (RAT).
This differs from the previous advice, which was that people should not re-test if they had tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days.
What this means for businesses and workers
The change of advice will affect people with symptoms, where they may have contracted COVID-19 again. People with symptoms should already be staying at home and recovering.
It means more COVID-19 reinfections will be identified, and these infected workers will need to self-isolate for seven days. This will reduce the chance of COVID-19 being spread in the workplace, and other workers catching COVID-19 and being off at the same time.
The rules for household contacts haven’t changed. They can go to work if they’ve had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, or they have completed isolation as a household in the last 10 days. They don’t need to stay home unless they become symptomatic themselves.
Employees can use their sick leave entitlements, which increased from 5 to 10 days per year last year. If paid sick leave is not available, employers are encouraged to offer their staff paid special leave. Alternatively, an employer and employee may agree that other leave – such as annual leave or unpaid leave – is taken.
The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme continues to be available to employers, including self-employed people, to help pay their employees who are self-isolating because of COVID-19 and unable to work. Employers can reapply for Leave Support if an employee (or themselves, if they’re self-employed) gets COVID-19 again and has to self-isolate.
COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme – Work and Income (external link)
Leave and pay entitlements during COVID-19
The latest evidence on COVID-19 reinfection is a reminder that the pandemic is not over. Businesses should continue with contingency planning to manage the impacts of staff being off with COVID-19. Guidance is available on business.govt.nz.
Managing the impact of COVID-19 cases at your business – business.govt.nz (external link)