It is important as a shared accommodation facility to take steps to protect staff and guests from future pandemics (global disease events such as COVID-19) or epidemics (local disease events such as measles, hepatitis, tuberculosis, norovirus, whooping cough etc).
The Ministry of Health leads the Government’s response to a pandemic. It is the responsibility of other agencies to plan for and respond to a pandemic in their respective sectors and settings, based on the direction set out by the Ministry of Health. At all times updates and latest information should be accessed from the Ministry of Health.
Planning for an infectious disease outbreak is as important as planning for other emergencies.
Outbreak management plan for shared accommodation facilities [PDF, 506 KB]
To help prevent the spread of flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses, it is important people stay home if unwell. Influenza and gastroenteritis are easily spread, so it is essential people wash their hands, wear a mask, cough or sneeze into their elbow and high-touch surfaces are wiped down regularly.
As an accommodation facility you may have some shared spaces, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or common rooms. Having a regular cleaning regime can help reduce the spread of illness.