COVID-19 CEO update – 22/03/2020

Tēnā koutou katoa,

 

As the efforts to contain Covid-19 escalate Purapura Whetu is making changes to adhere to the Government’s announcement that we are now at a Risk Level 2.

 

Alert Level Two is where the disease is contained but the risks are growing because we have more cases. This is when we move to reduce our contact with one another. We increase our border measures and we cancel events. This is also the level where we ask people to work differently if they can and cancel unnecessary travel.

 

Internally we have activated our Pandemic and Business Continuity Plans and we are instituting new measures to protect the wellbeing of staff and clients. We are also working closely with our funders to do our best to maintain services and support our most vulnerable.

 

We can confirm at this time that:

• Whānau Ora and Te Oriori group programmes have been closed to clients until further notice.

• The Philipstown Hub is closed to the public until further notice.

• Home visiting and the transportation of clients is to be minimised and will only occur where and when absolutely required.

 

Each of our services have different delivery methods and requirements and over the next couple of days our teams will be developing plans as to how we continue to deliver meaningful and effective services. We will make maximum use of our IT capability to maintain connection with whānau and our communities.

 

While it is vital for all of us to refrain from physical contact to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we also recognise that it is also important that whānau remain socially connected. Stay in contact with friends and whānau, especially our kaumātua and kuia, who often face issues of isolation. Regular contact by phone, video calls or messages will make a difference.

REMEMBER:

• To prevent the spread, it is important that everyone knows to ring ahead of their visit to the doctor if they think they might have COVID-19 and tell them about their personal situation/symptoms. This way, their doctors can put plans in place to manage their visit.
• Self-isolation remains one of the most important tools in the fight against COVID-19. We are working to scale up our support for the increased number of people who will be in self-isolation and ensuring they have adequate support and information to do it successfully and safely.
• The Ministry of Health website is the official channel for COVID-19 communications: https://www.health.govt.nz/…/dis…/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
• The dedicated COVID-19 health queries Healthline number is 0800 358 5453 for people who are unwell and think they may have COVID-19, and/or people who are registering self-isolation after returning from overseas.

 

The course and duration of the pandemic remains uncertain. We are preparing for each level of the pandemic response and working to understand what is required to keep our staff safe while still maintaining the highest possible standard of care for whānau.

 

If you have any further questions; please do not hesitate to contact me.

Ngā mihi,
Karaitiana Tickell
Te Kaiwhakahaere – Chief Executive Officer
Purapura Whetu Trust
Phone: 03 379 8001
Email: karaitiana@pw.maori.nz