COVID-19 Resources for Tradespeople and Homeowners

Find the information you need for carrying out jobs under the traffic light system. Please note that while this page is regularly updated, you will always find the most current information regarding all matters on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.

The following information is current as of 6 December 2021.

Covid-19 Traffic Light Settings

Tradespeople can work inside client homes at every traffic light setting: red, orange and green.

Below, you’ll find a basic overview of what the traffic light settings mean for homeowners and tradespeople.

Red & Orange

Tradespeople

When going into client homes, tradespeople are required to:

• Have a COVID-19 control plan in place
• Maintain physical distance from clients
• Wear a face covering
• Keep a record of who is on site and when

Homeowners

While tradespeople are inside the home, it is strongly recommended that homeowners:

• Maintain physical distance from tradespeople
• Wear a face covering
• Keep a record of who has visited the home and when

For more information, see ‘Trades and home services’ at Red and Orange.

Green

COVID-19 control plans will still be in place, and both homeowners and tradespeople are encouraged to keep a record of who has visited the home and when, to support contact tracing.

For more information, see ‘Trades and home services’ at Green

What COVID-19 Advice Should I Follow?

There are multiple resources available to keep yourself, your employees and your household safe, while continuing to do business.

• CHASNZ: COVID-19 Protection Framework for Construction
• Unite Against COVID-19: A central place for information from the NZ Government
• Building Performance: Building and construction sector guidance
• Worksafe: Managing health and safety (COVID-19)
• Ministry of Health: Latest updates, information and advice on COVID-19
• MATES in Construction: Mental health support
• Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment: COVID-19 Support
• Business.govt.nz: Services guidelines: Building, construction, maintenance
• Employment NZ: Vaccines and the workplace

Questions & Answers

Q: Is there a vaccine mandate for tradespeople?
A: No. There is no vaccination mandate for the building and construction sector.

Q: Do tradespeople need to be vaccinated to work in client homes?
A: No, tradespeople do not need to be vaccinated to work in private homes. Only workers carrying out building and construction work at early childhood, primary and secondary educational facilities, prisons, and hospitals, are required by the government to be fully vaccinated.

Q: Can tradespeople ask homeowners about their vaccination status?
A: Yes. However, homeowners are not obligated to disclose their vaccination status. In lieu of further government advice, it is the responsibility of both the homeowner and the tradesperson to determine an acceptable position on vaccination status before the tradesperson enters the home. Note: A vaccination assessment tool will be available from mid-December, providing a clear legal framework to help businesses make decisions about vaccinations in the workplace.

Q:Can homeowners require vaccinated tradespeople only for working on their property?
A: Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Wood has said the property owner is allowed to restrict access to any “conditions that the private property owner chooses to apply” (Stuff).

Q: Can homeowners ask tradespeople about their vaccination status?
A: Yes. However, tradespeople are not obligated to disclose their vaccination status to work in a private home. In lieu of further government advice, it is the responsibility of both the homeowner and the tradesperson to determine an acceptable position on vaccination status before the tradesperson enters the home.

Q: There are immunocompromised people in my household — does that mean I can request only vaccinated tradespeople?
A: Yes. However, the request should be made in good faith and be justifiable so to avoid discrimination.

Q: Do tradespeople need QR codes for their business or vehicles?
A: No. If your workplace is a customer’s home or a vehicle, you do not need to display a QR code. However, you should keep a record of contact to support contact tracing. This can be paper-based, such as a diary, or electronically.

Q: I need materials — are hardware stores open under the traffic light settings?
Shops and retail outlets can open at all settings, with some restrictions. See Mitre 10 and Bunnings for more information.

Q: Where can I find information about a COVID-19 control plan?
A: See the CHASNZ COVID-19 Protection Framework for Construction.

Tell Us What We Can Do

If you have any questions that have not been answered by the information and resources on this page, or have any concerns or suggestions, please get in contact with us.