Covid-19 Response

The traffic lights are the next stage in the COVID-19 response plan. They allow OSCAR services to open and operate in a way that is as close to normal.  The framework enables Dynamix to operate under Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Development guidance and take responsibility for minimising the spread of COVID-19.

Dynamix services can open under Red, Orange and Green CPF settings with various public health measures in place.

• Vaccine passes
  • Vaccine passes for participants is prohibited for all OSCAR services.
    • There will be cases (e.g. out of site trip days) where an external vendor/trip host will require a vaccine pass for all children aged 12yrs 3 months and older -children booked to attend these trips must hold a valid vaccine pass and have this available for verification by the vendor.
  • Vaccination
    • All Dynamix staff are covered by the Education vaccine mandate and meet the mandatory requirements. From 2 January 2022 only full vaccinated staff will have contact with children.
    • Any contracted vendors will complete a risk assessment survey and provide evidence of their Vaccine Pass prior to arrival on site.
  • Risk Assessment
    • All staff must complete a Return-to-work survey and obtain the necessary health clearances prior to arrival on site for recommencement of site operations.
    • All CPF settings have an additional Dynamix Risk Analysis and Management document in place.

• At each CPF setting the following public health measures are in place:
  • Basic hygiene protocols.
  • Contact tracing.
  • Vaccination
  • If you are sick, stay home and get tested.
  • Ventilation

Dynamix protocols at each CPF traffic light settings

RED – Dynamix are OPEN with the following protocols in place:

• Action needed to protect the health system from facing an unsustainable number of hospitalisations.
• Action needed to protect at-risk populations.
• OSCAR can operate; however, some requirements will remain the same and some requirements will be different. Social Services providing critical wellbeing services do not have to follow the ‘close-proximity’ guidelines.

PEOPLE / CHILDREN / STAFF

• Dynamix is open at management’s discretion
• OSCAR providers must maintain their own groupings of up to 20 children (staffing requirements as per existing standard OSCAR guidelines)
• Where there are multiple groups, the groups must maintain 1m distancing from each other.
• Having OSCAR groupings means that a provider will be able to easily identify who children have interacted with if any staff or child tests positive for COVID-19, and schools will be able to identify which groups that child is part of in the classroom.
• No non-essential visitors will be on site.
• Children with complex medical needs, can seek advice from their health professional about whether it is appropriate to come to the OSCAR provider. Parents, caregivers and students will need to work with the OSCAR provider to develop a plan to support attendance onsite.
• Staff are required to scan the NZ COVID Tracer App or complete the Contact Tracing Register on arrival.
• Parents are required to scan the NZ COVID Tracer App or complete the Contact Tracing Register.
• A contactless sign in/out only is available for parents to sign their children in and out of the programme.

FACE COVERINGS

Face coverings are required:

• For all children Year 4 (8yrs old and older) and up when indoors or in close contact with others.
• For staff working onsite.
• Staff are encouraged to wear paper masks instead of material masks.
• For all children Year 4 and up while being transported in vehicles.
• Paper masks will be available if children’s masks become damaged or wet.

PLAYGROUND / EQUIPMENT / ACTIVITIES

• Playgrounds can be used (maintain good hand hygiene) but consider rostering use by different groups to minimise congestion.
• Exercising and singing must be held outdoors.
• Play can include assess to toys and sports equipment, but hygiene practices should be observed before and after playing with equipment.
• Cooking and baking activities will be limited so children are preparing their own individual item.
• Multiple groups of 20 children, activities will be structured to have parallel schedules to ensure the separation of groups is maintained.

VENUE / DYNAMIX ROOM

• Indoor spaces should be well ventilated, for example by opening windows, doors and any vents. If mechanical ventilation is used, make sure the ventilation system is regularly maintained.

OPERATION

• Where possible OSCAR programmes will operate outside to ensure a well-ventilated environment. Staff will ensure enough shade is available and sunscreen and hats are worn.
• Children will not use the bathroom in groups.
• Staff and children will sanitise their hands before entering the bathroom and wash and sanitise again after use.
• Dynamix staff are to follow the school guidelines regarding accessing the premises.
• In the event of an emergency evacuation, first priority will be the safety of the children and staff. COVID-19 Protection Framework will be implemented where possible.
• In the event of a positive COVID-19 case onsite, we will follow the Dynamix Exposure Event/Location of Interests Procedure.

FOOD

• Where practicable, the programme will eat morning tea, lunch and/or afternoon tea outdoors.
• Staff will follow MPI guidelines on food safety when preparing food for children.
• Children will be prohibited from sharing food, and they will be asked to bring their own drink bottle.

ORANGE – Dynamix are OPEN with the following protocols in place:

• Dynamix is open at management’s discretion
• Community transmission with pressure on the health system.
• The whole health system is focusing resources, but can still manage primary care, public health, and hospitals.
• Increasing risk for at-risk populations.
• OSCAR can operate; however, some requirements will remain the same and some requirements will be different. Social Services providing critical wellbeing services do not have to follow the ‘close-proximity’ guidelines

PEOPLE / CHILDREN / STAFF

• Children with complex medical needs are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home. Parents, caregivers and students will need to work with the OSCAR provider to develop a plan to support attendance onsite.
• Staff can work across more than one group of children within the OSCAR providers.
• There are no restrictions on visitors on site, but they need to be captured in a visitor register or similar, to support contact tracing and must scan using the NZ COVID Tracer app or Contact Tracing Register provided by Dynamix.
• Staff are required to scan the NZ COVID Tracer App or complete the Contact Tracing Register on arrival.
• Parents are required to scan the NZ COVID Tracer App or complete the Contact Tracing Register.
• A contactless sign in/out only is available for parents to sign their children in and out of the programme.

FACE COVERINGS Face coverings are required:

• Dynamix Team Members will wear a mask at Drop-off and Pick-up times and when talking with parents and visitors to the site.
• Face coverings are encouraged but not required indoors at OSCAR programmes.
• Face coverings are to be worn by children over 12 and all staff when on a bus or transport run.

PLAYGROUND / EQUIPMENT / ACTIVITIES

• Playgrounds can be used (maintain good hand hygiene).
• Physical and cultural activities can go ahead on site (all other public health measures must be maintained including good hygiene practices).
• Large activities with students, if they are to go ahead, should take place in well-ventilated areas or outdoors.
• Swimming activities are permitted.
• Cooking and baking activities are permitted.

VENUE / DYNAMIX ROOM

• Indoors spaces should be well ventilated, for example by opening windows, doors and any vents.

OPERATION

• Ensure a well-ventilated environment. Outside programmes and experiences are encouraged and staff will ensure enough shade is available and sunscreen and hats are worn.
• Staff and children will wash hands and sanistise regularly.
• Dynamix staff are to follow the school guidelines regarding accessing the premises.
• In the event of an emergency evacuation, first priority will be the safety of the children and staff. COVID-19 Protection Framework will be implemented where possible.
• In the event of a positive COVID-19 case onsite, we will follow the Dynamix Exposure Event/Location of Interests Procedure.

FOOD

• Where practicable, the programme will eat morning tea, lunch and/or afternoon tea outdoors.
• Staff will follow MPI guidelines on food safety when preparing food for children.
• Children will be encouraged to bring their own drink bottle.

GREEN – Dynamix are OPEN with the following protocols in place:

• COVID-19 in New Zealand, including sporadic imported cases. Limited community transmission
• COVID-19 hospitalisations are at a manageable level.
• The health system is ready to respond (primary care, public health, and hospitals).
• OSCAR can operate; however, some requirements will remain the same and some requirements will be different. Social Services providing critical wellbeing services do not have to follow the ‘close-proximity’ guidelines.

PEOPLE / CHILDREN / STAFF

• Staff can work across more than one group of children within the OSCAR providers.
• There are no restrictions on visitors on site, but they need to be captured in a visitor register or similar, to support contact tracing and must scan using the NZ COVID Tracer app or Contact Tracing Register provided by Dynamix.
• Staff are required to scan the NZ COVID Tracer App or complete the Contact Tracing Register on arrival.
• Parents are required to scan the NZ COVID Tracer App or complete the Contact Tracing Register
• A contactless sign in/out only is available for parents to sign their children in and out of the programme.

FACE COVERINGS

• Face coverings are encouraged but not required.

PLAYGROUND / EQUIPMENT / ACTIVITIES

• Playgrounds can be used (maintain good hand hygiene).
• Physical, cultural activities, performances can go ahead on site (all other public health measures must be maintained including good hygiene practices).

OPERATION

• Staff and children will wash hands and sanistise regularly.
• Dynamix staff are to follow the school guidelines regarding accessing the premises.
• Transport runs between schools are operational.
• In the event of a positive COVID-19 case onsite, we will follow the Dynamix Exposure Event/Location of Interests Procedure.

FOOD

• Staff will follow MPI guidelines on food safety when preparing food for children.
• Children will be encouraged to bring their own drink bottle.

This page is guided by COVID-19 Protection Framework (CPF) guidance for social service providers published 1st December 2021: https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/covid-19/guidance-for-providers/1-dec-2021-social-service-providers-covid-protection-framework-guidance.pdf

More information is available from the Ministry of Social Development website: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/covid-19/guidance-for-providers/index.html