COVID-19 Update: Transport and Construction

Our focus is now on COVID-19 and the flow-on impacts for our customers across multiple industries including transport and construction. Minister of Civil Defence Peeni Henare declared a State of National Emergency from 12.21pm on Wednesday 25 March 2020.  This is for seven days, but can be renewed each seven days if done so before the time of expiry. Because credible information during this time is key, we have gathered relevant information from the New Zealand Transport Agency, Civil Contractors New Zealand, Road Transport Forum and Road Transport Association for the transport and construction industries.

The New Zealand Government has indicated a general lockdown and level four control protocols will be in place for at least four weeks, as of 11:59pm on Wednesday 25 March. This means any workers in roles deemed non-essential will not be able to continue their work until the level four control measures are lifted.

A list of services defined as essential can be found on the Government’s COVID19 website.

 

Teletrac Navman

This is an important time for clear communication with drivers and to proactively manage driver safety, especially fatigue, as many will be experiencing added stress during this time. Our customer support teams will continue to provide assistance. In particular, we are focused on being able to respond to any issues your company may face as well as support your day to day operations. You can reach us on the channels listed below:

Customer Support

• Support helpline: 0800 477 353
• Support hours: Monday - Friday, 8am-10pm NZDT

• Email: anz.customersupport@teletracnavman.com

Training & Operations 

• Live web training can be scheduled through this link 
• You can access recorded web-training via this link
• Our service team is readily available to schedule any installation work you require

For additions to fleets or other general enquiries, please don't hesitate to contact your local Teletrac Navman dealer or contact us on 0800 800 164.

 

Transport

 

• The Road Transport Forum are updating this page with all the latest developments for trucking operators.
  
  
• NZTA is currently working with their service providers (AA, VINZ, VTNZ) to understand how to support those providing essential services during this time. Please check this page for updates. For urgent incidents, 0800 4 HIGHWAYS is available 24 hours with reduced capacity.
  
  
• NZTA issued a statement regarding state highway works on 24 March. This can be read here.
  
  
• All non-essential work on state highways will stop during New Zealand’s Covid-19 level 4 national shutdown.
  
  
• While some transport companies have reduced volumes due to the lockdown, others have increased their workload as the requirement to move essential supplies continues. The Road Transport Association NZ is working hard to match up businesses looking for work, and others looking to contract work out or employ more drivers. Please send an email to info@rtanz.co.nz with some information on your business, a key contact and what you are seeking.

 

Construction

• The Construction Industry Council and Construction Health and Safety New Zealand are working on ways to minimise the impact on construction businesses and to facilitate the resumption of work as quickly as possible when the government announces that it is safe for public health to do so. For the latest updates, see this page.
  
  
• Lifeline utilities will need to remain operational. These are defined as: "entities that provide essential infrastructure services to the community such as water, wastewater, transport, energy and telecommunications." Staff will also be maintained in traffic control operations centres.

• Those continuing with essential services work will need to put in place protocols for staff continuing work to comply with government and client requirements
  
  

• Essential construction and building work is limited to:
  
  
• work that is required immediately to maintain human health and safety at home or work, such as blocked sanitary drains, electrical faults likely to lead to electrocution.
  
  
• work to enable the continuation of other essential services, such as hospitals, supermarkets or utilities;
  
  
• building and resource consenting and supply chains for essential construction and building work.

Note: Essential construction and building work does not include new work, renovations, maintenance or any other work unless it fits the criteria above.

 

Health and safety for essential services

 

• Worksafe has produced a FAQ for health and safety during Covid-19.

Practices to limit the risk to staff in essential businesses include:

• limiting, or eliminating if possible, physical interaction between staff, e.g. through physical distancing, split shifts, staggered meal breaks, and flexible working arrangements.
  
  
• limiting, or eliminating if possible, physical interaction with and between customers e.g. through online or phone orders, contactless delivery, or managed entry (while also avoiding crowding outside) and physical distancing both inside and outside the premises.
  
  
• hygiene basics of hand washing and sanitisers.
  
  
• frequent cleaning of premises and the inside of vehicles, especially high-touch surfaces (cleaning advice is available on the Ministry of Health website).
  
  
• protective equipment for staff (disposable gloves, facemasks) as appropriate.

 

General advice for businesses

 

www.covid19.govt.nz

Find out more about tax relief

Find out more or apply for employer support

 

We will continue to diligently monitor for – and share with you – any regulatory updates that may impact your business and help you with your fleet tracking.

In the meantime, stay safe and take care of each other. We are all in this together.