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Covid-19 Information

ICCMR 2019
29 April 2019

Naturopaths are going to be a great source of comfort and help for people in the coming weeks, but we need to ensure we are not also a vector point when the idea is to stamp out the disease by giving it no points of contact to transfer. As primary health care support we can help by spreading the official public health messages. Please ensure you are doing so.

  • We are in Level 2 status in New Zealand, which means we may only meet with ten people or less at a time. This expands to 100 people Friday 29 May, 2020, but we stay in Level 2.
  • The critical assessment office have advised that you may see clients in person as long as they are not showing flue-like symptoms. If so, please tell them to call their doctor to be referred for a Covid-19 test.
  • You must not be operating if you are showing flu-like symptoms yourself, but instead should get a Covid-19 test.
  • PPE is not required but may be used should you feel more comfortable doing so. You should ensure you are aware how to correctly use PPE. We will be including a guide to this soon.
  • Display posters and information to encourage individual infection control.
  • Remove objects such as toys and magazines that could aid in transmission.
  • Use no-touch waste bins.
  • Increase the frequency of standard cleaning measures.
  • Social distancing is required with a minimum of one metre needed between people. People should not be sharing a waiting room for longer than 15 minutes.
  • You need to have a register of anyone who enters your premises, with contact details, to ensure contact tracing is possible.
  • There should be no sharing of water fountains
  • Any space occupied by people should be sanitised between people using the space.
  • Hand sanitation is imperative, you must wash your hands between clients and whenever else is appropriate.
  • Disinfect touch points
  • For further information regarding your practice you can call the Business Support Line – 0800 500 362
  • There are still many immunocompromised, older, or simply cautious people who will still prefer not to go out at the moment, so continuing consultations by phone or online formats is a great option. Information about how to do this can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/336807163070325/posts/2807891392628544/
  • It is heartening that access to herbal and nutritional medicines has been added to the list of goods able to be shipped. These are to be shipped direct to clients rather than to yourself first.  The following can also be prescribed to support your clients
    • Over the counter products available through pharmacies and supermarkets
    • Herbal teas and decoctions people can make from culinary spices, herbs, garden plants and NZ natives
    • Nutritional medicine using food
    • Lifestyle advice
  • If you are shopping please still –
    • Maintain a minimum safe distance of 2 metres
    • Avoid unnecessary activities
    • Remember the virus may stay on surfaces, so be aware of bringing items into your home that make have been touched by others unable to isolate and act accordingly – use gloves, wipe things down with cleaners, let things sit for three days if you can, wash your hands.
    • Do not stockpile – shop normally
  •  Continue to wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (for kids it helps to tell them to sing Happy Birthday twice).
  • Have everyone entering your house or place of work wash their hands upon entering to keep inside a safe zone.

If you are concerned you are showing symptoms, DO NOT go to the emergency department or your doctor’s office, rather call your doctor, or the dedicated Covid-19 Healthline 0800 358 5453 (or for international SIMs +64 9 358 5453) for up to date advice and information on what to do.

If you have having an emergency, phone 111 and advise them that the symptoms are Covid-19 related.

For regularly updated information please visit the Ministry of Health resource dedicated to giving information on covid-19 here  https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-resources/covid-19-information-sheets-general-public

There is also a dedicated Healthline for Covid-19 advice and information: The number is 0800 358 5453 (or for international SIMs +64 9 358 5453). This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is free. Please contact admin@naturopath.org.nz with questions, or if you need support or are worried.