COVID-19 Leave & Self Isolation Support

Workers and businesses have responsibilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The purpose of the COVID-19 leave and self-isolation scheme is to support workers financially to self-isolate, or while ill with COVID-19, where this is required so that all businesses and workers can do the right thing.

The COVID-19 leave payment scheme will provide support (through employers/to sole traders and the self-employed) for those people unable to work who are in self-isolation, are sick with COVID-19, or caring for others with COVID-19. The payments will be $585.80 per week for full time and $350 per week for part time workers.

The payment does not affect any paid leave entitlements that are owed and is available even if an employee is on paid leave for part of the period. It is not available to those who can work from home during the period of self-isolation, and who can be paid normally by their employer.

Payments able to be applied for and received from: Employers will apply for the leave on behalf of any employee who is self-isolating or sick. Payments can be backdated to 17 March, 2020.

Further details: Affected full time workers (those who work more than 20 hours per week) will receive $585.80 per week, and part time workers (20 hours or less) $350 per week – the same amount as under the wage subsidy scheme.

The payment is made by MSD to employers, who will then be required to pass it on to the affected employee. MSD will pay on a fortnightly basis once it receives an application.

Other key parameters of the scheme are:

• Eligibility is open to all employees legally working in New Zealand (through their employers), the self-employed, and contractors.
• Eligibility will only be for workers who are not able to work from home.
• The entitlement is for:
  • Those who self-isolate in accordance with public health guidance and who register with Healthline;
  • Those who are ill with COVID-19;
  • Those who cannot work because they are caring for a dependent in either of these circumstances.
• Those who leave New Zealand to travel overseas from 16 March, 2020 will not be eligible for this payment for self-isolation on their return.

Workers taking sick leave before 17 March, 2020 can only access the scheme for time spent on sick leave from 17 March, 2020. It will not be accessible for those who have travelled overseas since 16 March, 2020.

What do I need to do?

https://services.workandincome.govt.nz/ess/employer_applications/new

Go to the above website.  Fill in the form to register your company and the employees that you wish this leave to be paid to.

• You will need your Company Number, Company IRD Number, Company Bank Number.
• Then you will need your employees – Full name, Date of Birth and IRD number.

Then you must get the employee to phone Healthline (0800 358 5453) and register with them that they have just returned from Overseas and will be entering self-isolation for the next 2 weeks.