14 August - Covid-19 update and BTI

Kia ora whanau,
The PM has just announced that the current alert level settings will remain in place until 26 August, with a review on 21 August. That means that Auckland will remain in Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand in Level 2 for that period of time.
For the most part, that means little change to current practice for BTI. We will continue to teach and work onsite, under social distancing and contact tracing provisions, and expect all staff and students to come to work and class in their usual manner, unless you’re sick. Limitations on mass gatherings of over 100 people will remain in place.
Use face covering in places where you are close to others, download the Covid-19 app and use it, use hand sanitiser regularly, get a test if you have symptoms, stay safe and be kind.  We have purchased an increased number of masks and hand sanitisers for BTI and have also increased the frequency of cleaning of our facilities.
We recognise that this will significantly impact our colleagues and students in Auckland especially. We will be in touch with them in coming days as we work out what this means for them, especially those on placement.
And we also know that these new cases have raised levels of anxiety and stress for our colleagues, our students and our whanau. We had thought this was behind us; it is not. However, we have been here before and we got through it. We made it.

The PM talks a lot about the team of 5 million. I want to talk about the BTI team of 42. We do this as a team. We support one another. We are here for each other. We do it together. We are all in this. Know that we value each of you as part of this great BTI team. It’s my pleasure and honour to be in this waka with you.
Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki
Andrew