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March 2022 News Letter
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Dear Valued Professionals,
Here we are at the end of March and peak-Omicron outbreak. Many of you will know clients, family and friends who have, or have had, COVID-19. You may have even experienced it yourself. This has been an incredibly stressful time for everyone with staff ill or isolating, client cancellations, and even businesses closing.
Today, the Government announced a lifting of restrictions from 11:59pm on 25 March affecting QR codes, and on 4 April affecting vaccine passes and vaccine mandates.
These changes mean that it is up to you whether you use vaccine passes, treat unvaccinated clients, and hire unvaccinated staff. We outline these changes in our COVID-19 Updates below.
In this issue
- Upper Hutt Council Appearance Industry Bylaw
- NEW Membership Benefit
- Business Insurance for Members
- APAN Conference 2022
- COVID-19 Updates
- KN95 Masks (adults & children)
Remember to Like and Follow our Facebook page for the latest news and updates as they come to hand: www.facebook.com/NZBPST
Upper Hutt Council Appearance Industry Bylaw Changes
6 months of effort by the NZ Board of Professional Skin Therapies .has resulted in Upper Hutt Council in reviewing their Appearance Industry Bylaw proposal, the Council has now adopted six recommendations we proposed.
The Upper Hutt City Council's Appearance Industry Bylaw covers a range of treatments carried out at beauty salons, cosmetic clinics, spas, shops, or by mobile and/or home-operators.
The aim is to manage and reduce health and hygiene risks by regulating procedures that risk piercing, cutting or burning a person’s skin, or involve risks from infection.
The bylaw comes into effect on 1 July 2022, and the Council be supporting operators to register and obtain their certificate of compliance by 1 July 2023.
The full Bylaw can be viewed here: https://www.upperhuttcity.com/
We are pleased to announce a new membership discount. Our Member Benefit Provider, DeVere Apparel, is offering our members a significant discount on Ministry of Health approved Healgen Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).
The kits contain 20 tests and are normally $169 + GST per box. Using the exclusive code below, members pay only $94.64 + GST per box ($4.73 +GST per test). Members can order multiple boxes, if required. That's a huge discount of 44% - saving $74.36 per box!
Healgen tests are easy to use and provide rapid results. A free training tutorial is available on how to accurately and safely conduct a test and read the results.
To access this discount, go to: https://devereapparel.com/
Enter the number of kits you require and enter the code you received in our recent email. If you are a new member, please contact us for the discount code.
This is an exclusive offer to members only. Congratulations on being a member, and thank you for being part of our industry's efforts in staying safe!
Business Insurance for Members
SHARE's team of specialist advisers provide valuable advice and an insurance solution tailored to your needs, all at discounted rates. SHARE recognise every business is unique, and offer a bespoke solution for your needs. You do not have to purchase the same bulk insurance as everyone else. Your insurance is tailor-made for your business.
For more info see: https://www.sharenzgeneral.
APAN Conference 2022
Our International Alliance Partner, Aesthetic Practitioner Advisory Network, is holding their 3-day conference starting on 18 July. You can either attend in-person or online.
This great news for therapists here in New Zealand, as you'll be able to attend the 3-day event from home. In addition, you'll be able to access the various segments for a full 30 days and watch them at your convenience or revisit segments of interest.
The conference provides a wonderful educational opportunity for therapists at all levels. The programme is still being finalised, and we'll keep you updated on progress.
MEMBER BONUS: All our members receive the APAN discounted rate!
For more info see: https://apanconf.com/?fbclid=
COVID-19 Updates
From 11.59 on 25 March:
- QR codes will no longer be required. Businesses will not be required to keep mandatory records.
From 11:59pm on 4 April, further restrictions will be lifted:
- There will be no requirement to use My Vaccine Pass, unless you chose to maintain this system.
- Vaccine mandates will be removed, except for health and disability, aged care, corrections and border workforces.
What this means for your business:
- From 11:59pm 25 March, you will not need to display QR codes, and clients will not need to scan in upon arrival. You will not be required to keep records of clients visiting your business.
- From 11:59pm 4 April, You will no longer need to ask to see clients' Vaccine Passes, unless you choose to do so.
- You can treat unvaccinated clients, if you choose to do so.
- You can hire unvaccinated staff, if you choose to do so.
Points to consider:
These changes do not mean COVID-19 is no longer in the community. COVID-19 still remains a serious risk for vulnerable staff and clients. Face masks still need to be worn in indoor settings to reduce transmission of the disease.
Vaccine mandates remain in place for certain sectors because workers in these areas have a high level of contact with people at risk of developing serious illness. Our industry is not subject to these mandates. Therefore it is your decision, as the business owner, to decide whether staff should be vaccinated. It is up to you to determine the risk for your staff and clients.
Recommendations:
- Get your Booster and ensure your staff do also. Vaccination is the best way to protect you, your staff, clients, and business. Not only are you much less likely to need hospital care, but evidence shows it lowers the likelihood of getting infected and transmitting COVID-19 to others.
- Continue to wear masks indoors.
- Decide whether you will maintain the Vaccine Pass system in your business.
- Decide whether you will treat unvaccinated clients.
- Decide whether you will introduce workforce vaccination requirements.
- Make an Isolation Plan. Do you have enough food and medications? Are your prescriptions up to date? What about pet food and supplies?
- Check whether you are eligible for the latest Covid Support Payments for businesses.
- Make a Covid contingency plan with staff about what to do if they become a close contact or test positive.
- Maintain your Pandemic Response Plan procedures.
KN95 Masks
Our Member Benefit Partner, DeVere Apparel, has hypoallergenic latex-free KN95 masks available for adults and children
Adult KN95 (pack of 20 $24.99: https://devereapparel.com/
Children's 3 Ply disposable (pack of 50 $17.50) https://devereapparel.com/shop/p/childrens-disposable-face-masks-small-size-box-of-50
Posted: Wed 23 Mar 2022
