The Ministry of Commerce, Innovation and Employment issued this morning a guide on how companies operate under the traffic light system.

Logo photo of the Covid security program outside the enterprise: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The Covid-19 protection framework will take effect on December 3.

The advice on business.govt.nz tells companies that if they are operating under the My Vaccine Pass system, they will need to check the customer's pass.

"Businesses operating under the rules of my vaccine pass must check the pass of the customer. We recommend at or near the entry point, or as soon as possible after the entry (for example, if there is only one staff member, this may be at the counter)," it said.

"Companies that choose to need my vaccine pass must check the pass. You can also use the validator app to scan the QR code embedded in the customer's My Vaccine Pass. It lets you know if the pass is valid."

Some companies are prohibited from requesting my vaccine pass, including:

"Customers only need to show their own My Vaccine Pass. Companies do not need to check their ID cards, but they can ask for it."

The recommendation also states that companies can switch between operations with or without vaccine passports, provided that their premises are cleaned between groups.

"For example, the meeting venue can be cleaned for a small group of people under the unvaccinated rule, and then they can host larger gatherings for vaccinated people. You must clearly communicate what settings you are operating under, And display any signs needed.

"Capacity restrictions apply to venues or specific spaces. The restrictions include all attendees but not workers."

When the number of people in a place is restricted, if they are one metre apart, this will be the lesser of 100 people or the maximum number of people who can take up space-and crucially, they don't actually have to stand apart.

Mixed-activity companies (such as shopping centers) must implement different rules in different regions.

"Requirements apply by activity. If your business carries out multiple different activities, you may need to apply different rules. For example, shopping malls may have food courts (applicable to food and beverage rules), general retail (retail rules), and supermarkets ( People must be able to enter without showing my vaccine pass),” said the suggestion.

If the company requires the person entering to hold the "My Vaccine Pass", the company must also display a poster advertisement.

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