Shared accommodation facilities

To help prevent the spread of illnesses, it is important people stay home if they are not well. Flu (influenza) and gastroenteritis spread easily. In a shared accommodation facility it is important that people:

• wash their hands
• wear a mask
• cough or sneeze into their elbow
• regularly wipe down high-touch surfaces.

As an accommodation facility you may have some shared spaces, such as:

• kitchens
• bathrooms
• common rooms.

Having a regular cleaning routine can help reduce the spread of illness.

Healthy habits to stop the spread of illnesses

Preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses

Planning for an infectious disease outbreak is as important as planning for other emergencies. It is important 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 and whooping cough.}

Outbreak management plan for shared accommodation facilities

The Ministry of Health (MoH) leads the Government’s response to a pandemic. Other agencies plan for and respond to a pandemic in their own sectors, based on the MoH's direction.

New Zealand pandemic plan — Ministry of Healthexternal link

Health NZ's public health services.

Contact specific Health NZ teams

Consider developing a relationship with a general practice.

General practices (GPs) — Healthpointexternal link

Local council environmental health officers.

Council websites — LGNZexternal link