NAWIC Events - COVID-19

This weekend has seen an unprecedented reaction to the Coronavirus COVID-19 within New Zealand and around the world. Although the increase of new cases is small, the recent developments have caused the Government to effectively close borders and shut down mass gatherings. NAWIC National would like to clarify what this means for upcoming NAWIC local events.

The Ministry of Health provides useful information and health advice for the public, but the scene changes daily and we must adapt to the changing landscape. We will continue to follow the Ministry of Health’s advice about conducting events and meetings in the coming weeks and months. Many of our members’ employers are also implementing their own precautionary measures, including working from home and travel bans.

We respect that it is up to each Chapter to consider the advice being received, and to make their own decisions. We think it is highly likely that decisions will be made by chapters to cancel some events. We are also mindful that individual members need to make their own decisions about attending events. Where events are going ahead, we want to ensure that each participant takes an active role in considering each other’s welfare when meeting. Please advise members and guests to stay away if they are feeling unwell, or if they have travelled overseas or been in close contact with someone who has been travelled overseas in the past 14 days. For all events please keep attendee details.

For our committee members and volunteers, we reiterate that, as a volunteer organisation, we ask that you consider your employers’ policies in relation to their response to COVID-19. If you do not feel comfortable attending meetings and/or events, NAWIC respects your decision as a volunteer.

There is no easy way to deal with this unprecedented situation. It does seem a shame that many of our events may be disrupted, and just as our newest chapter in the Bay of Plenty starts to gather momentum. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s not really that important, and certainly not important enough to compromise safety. Although no-one knows for sure how long this might last, there’s a sense that eventually it will pass. In the meantime, think of it as a great test of our resilience.

Please continue to monitor the Ministry of Health’s latest advice and guidance to keep our NAWIC members safe if attending our events.

Stacey Mendonça
NAWIC President
17 March 2020