North Otago Four Wheel Drive Club Inc - Covid 19 policy
North Otago Four Wheel Drive Club Inc
COVID-19 RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY, May 2022
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Policy is to establish and communicate the North Otago 4WD Club’s (NO4WD Club) position regarding the health and safety risk management of the impact of Coronavirus Disease -19 (COVID-19) in relation to the health and safety management practices when the NO4WD Club congregate together for Four Wheel Drive Trips, Socialising and Meetings.
Our approach is based on our obligation to members to provide a safe environment which minimises risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable to our club members, families and guests who attend four wheel driving trips.
This Policy aims to assist the NO4WD Club to assess and manage exposure to viruses, and thereby meet its obligations under the current legislation.
SCOPE
This policy applies to all Club Members, Club Members Families and Guests who attend excursions.
DEFINITIONS
Club Member means a person who is a fully financial member of the NO4WD Club
Club Member Family means a spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings of a fully financial member of the NO4WD Club
Guests means a person who has been invited by a fully financial club member or, wishes to become a fully financial club member of the NO4WD Club who attends on a trip.
Evidence of Vaccination means government recognised proof of vaccination including a vaccination certificate (i.e. My Vaccine Passport), a letter from the Ministry of Health or other evidence that the NO4WD Club deems appropriate.
Vaccinated (Person) means a person who has received all the doses of a government approved COVID-19 vaccine, or combination of vaccines, and administered in accordance with the specific requirements as specified in Schedule 3 COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines.
POLICY POSITION
With the presence of COVID-19 in New Zealand, there is the clear risk of infection on any interactions with people including, 4WD trips and monthly meetings. The transmissibility of the COVID-19 virus has also increased with the Delta and Omicron variants and possibly with future variants, further increasing risk to club members.
As a responsible club, we have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of our members and their families who attend monthly 4WD trips and meetings.
Where COVID-19 vaccine is available, receiving it is considered a reasonably practicable step under the Act to reduce the risk of infection. Due to the increased potential threat of serious illness posed to people regarding COVID-19 infection, we strongly encourage all existing members and their families to be vaccinated with the government-approved COVID-19 vaccines and to maintain this with necessary booster vaccinations, subject to medical advice.
We recognise and respect that vaccination is a personal decision, and we acknowledge that there will be circumstances in which individuals are advised by their medical practitioner not to receive the approved COVID-19 or other vaccines for medical reasons.
It may also be the case that the individuals choose to not be vaccinated because of their personal views or beliefs. If club members are concerned about the vaccine they are encouraged to conduct research from credible sources to make the most informed decision.
However, if it is the individual’s choice not to be vaccinated it must be recognised that as part of this policy and the NO4WD Club reserves the right to take appropriate action to ensure the health and safety of non-vaccinated members as well as providing a safe and healthy environment for all Club members.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Under this policy, the NO4WD Club will follow all mandates the New Zealand Government has put in such as the COVID-19 protection framework (‘Traffic Light System’) to control the spread of COVID-19, see summarised diagram below.
At all levels of the government’s COVID-19 protection framework (‘Traffic Light System’), there is a requirement to manage the risk of spread of COVID-19 to keep our club members and families safe and ensure we can continue to undertake our activities in a managed safe environment.
When under the Orange and Red settings, there is an elevated risk in our region and as such, when 4WD trips and meetings are being undertaken it requires club members to: -
- Be fully vaccinated with a government approved COVID-19 vaccine, including any booster shots;
- Be able to show either a ‘My Vaccine Passport’ or a letter from the Ministry of health or other evidence that is deemed appropriate by the government on request;
- Not vaccinated be subject to assessment with controls implemented to manage the risk
- Follow the Traffic Light system mandates around the wearing of a face mask at gatherings or in a confined space shared with other groups or members of the public.
- Be responsible with social gatherings and follow the dictates of the Traffic Light System
As the NO4WD Club will follow all mandates the New Zealand Government has put in, it may, in its sole discretion, amend, modify, revoke or replace this Policy. This may be necessary as new information is made available, a change in COVID-19 variants, or the situation in New Zealand changes (including a change in legislation or regulation). These changes will be deemed to be inforce once the club members have been notified via the appropriate processes.
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