New Zealand: Government Support for Businesses to Vaccinated Workforce

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

Key Points  

  • New measures introduced to help protect workplaces and workers from COVID-19 

Overview

The government of New Zealand will introduce  new health measures to ensure the protection of workers from COVID-19. These new measures include: 

  • Vaccination will be required for all workers at businesses where customers are also required to show COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates, such as hospitality and close-contact businesses; 
  • New law to introduce a clearer and simplified risk assessment process for employers to follow when deciding whether they can require vaccination for different types of work; 
  • Non-vaccinated workers in roles requiring vaccination will be given a new four-week notice period to get vaccinated before employment can be terminated; 
  • Employers will be required to provide paid time off for workers to get vaccinated and will need to keep records about workers’ vaccination status. 

What are the Changes?  

The government of New Zealand has announced new health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. These new measures are expected to provide businesses with a clear and simplified legal framework to make decisions regarding employee vaccination requirements.  

Looking Ahead 

The timeline for these changes has yet to be announced and will depend on the COVID-19 Protection Framework. Continue to check Envoy’s website for future updates.  

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Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.