Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Guidance for all Alert Levels
Key Resources
Guidelines for staff entering a Community
Corrections site
At ALL times ask the Ministry of Health COVID-19 health screening questions
before/at every direct interaction with people on a sentence and vis
1982itors:
Act
Screening Questions
1.  Do you have any symptoms of COVID-19?
2.  Are you or anyone in your household current waiting
Information  for a COVID test (or a
COVID-19 test result) or been told by a health professional to isolate at
home?
3.  Have you been to an identified location o
Official  f interest in the past 14 days?
4.  Have you left an MIQ facility in th
the  e last 14 days?
Optional additional question for those sites near ports/airports
under
5.  Do you work on an aircraft, shipping vessel, MIQ facility or in cold
storage?  Note, this group of workers has regular border testing, so should
not prohibit access to
Released  the service – but inform use of PPE.

If the answer is YES to any of these questions, please check the detailed
guidance report to determine how to proceed
•  If anyone entering a Community Corrections site has responded YES
(without a mitigation) to any of these questions, they should be refused
entry and ring Healthline for advice.
•  If any persons who wil  be present during a home visit (the person on-
sentence, their whānau or other people in their bubble) has responded YES

(without a mitigation) to any of these questions, you should discuss the risks
with a service manager before proceeding
•  If a staff member or visitor responds YES (without a mitigation) to any of
these questions, they must speak with a manager, return home and ring
Healthline.
•  Hand sanitiser must be used before entering the site
•  Wash your hands frequently, and if necessary, apply hand sanitiser in
between handwashing
•  Keep common areas as clean as possible with regular disinfecting of high-
tough surfaces (such as door handles). Wear gloves while sanitising
surfaces/areas.
•  Maintain physical distancing of at least 2m in public areas such a
1982 s reception
and at least 1m in non-public areas (office, kitchen, repor
Act  t-in rooms etc.)
•  Hand hygiene and cough / sneeze etiquette (maintain distance, cover
coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues and wash hands) wil  continue to
have a big impact
Information

PPE Requirements inOfficial
the   Community
Corrections Environments
under
People on a sentence, Ara Poutama employees and visitors (including whānau
and professionals) wil  be required to use PPE, as set out in the table below:
Released
In scenarios where PPE is requested but not required, people should be reminded
that PPE can provide a false sense of security, and good hand hygiene and not
touching your face is the most effective protection against COVID-19 transmission
in most circumstances.
It is noted that although Community Corrections Sites are closed at Alert Level 4
and Alert Level 3 – there wil  be a few (very few) situations that sites are accessed
e.g. to col ect computers to use from home / to access the AVL for NZPB hearings
/ to collect a work vehicle if making an urgent visit etc.

In al  these case a risk assessment should be undertaken and the default
position is PPE should be used.
Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
While
Wearing
Activity
Activity
Working in
employees are
a corrections
ceased
ceased
an
not required to
issued mask is
1982
employee-
Act
only office
wear PPE, it is
strongly
If site
If site
space
available for use
recommended
accessed
accessed
but not
undertake  undertake
required.  Physic
risk
risk
al distancing of  asse
Information  ssment  assessme
at least 1 metre
should be
nt should
must be
undertaken
be
maintained.
Official
and the
undertake
the
default
n and the
If a 1 metre
position is
default
distance cannot  PPE should  position is
under  be maintained  be used.
PPE
use of a
should be
corrections
used.
Released
issued mask is
required.
Face masks
should always
be worn in small
meetings rooms
and in shared
areas such as
staff kitchens
and bathrooms.

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
Within the
While
Masks (provided
Activity
Activity
reception
employees and
by Community
ceased
ceased
area
people on
Corrections)
sentence are not
must be worn
If site
If site
required to wear
and a physical
accessed
accessed
PPE, it is
distance of 2
undertake
1982 undertake
available for use
metres
risk
Act
risk
maintained by
assessment  assessme
employees,
should be
nt should
people on
undertaken
be
sentence and
a
Information nd the  undertake
visitors
default
n and the
position is
default
Where a p
Official  erson  PPE should  position is
is
the  alone in AL2,
be used.
PPE
masks should be
should be
worn at all
used.
under
times.
Working
While
Released
Mask must be
N/A
N/A
with service
employees and
worn (provided
users in
interview
people on
by Community
Activity
Activity
rooms
sentence are not  Corrections) and
ceased
ceased
(including
required to wear
physical
in-person
PPE, it is
distancing of at
PAC
available for use
least 1 metre
interviews)
must be
All high-touch
maintained
surfaces must be
cleaned after
All high-touch
use of the room
surfaces to be

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
(while wearing
cleaned after
gloves and with
use of the room
handwashing
(while wearing
afterwards)
gloves and with
handwashing
afterwards)
1982
Act
Whānau
While
Whānau Hui
N/A
N/A
hui at a
employees,
only to be
Community
Corrections
people on
undertaken after
A
Information  ctivity
Activity
site
sentence and
all participants
ceased
ceased
whānau and/or
answer no to
visitors are not
screen
Official ing
required to wear  the  questions
PPE, it is
available for use
Physical
under  distancing of 1
All high-touch
metre must be
surfaces must be  maintained and
cleaned a
Released fter
Corrections
use of the room
issued masks
(while wearing
must be worn by
gloves and with
all people in the
handwashing
room
afterwards)
All high-touch
surfaces to be
cleaned after
use of the room
(while wearing
gloves and with

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
handwashing
afterwards)
Home visits
Where pre-
A corrections
Activity
Activity
See
screening has
issued mask and
reduced
1982 significantl
Undertakin
Act
g Safe Visits
not been
gloves and
(only
y reduced
Guide for
possible for al
physical
essential
(only
information
occupants of an
distancing of at
visits to
essential
about:
address, a mask
least 2 metres
high risk
visits to
and gloves are
are mandatory
and
Information   people  high risk
•  Asses
sing
mandatory for
for home visits
who
and
the
home visits
even when there  depend on
people
need
are no conc
Official  erns
us)
who
for a
Mask and glove  fo
the r the health of
depend
home
use
any person
Mask and
on us)
visit
are discretionar
residing at the
gloves are
under
y for home visits
address.
mandatory  Mask and
•  Plann
ing
where pre-
for home
gloves are
the
screening has
Encourage that  visits where  mandator
visit
been poss
Released  ible
the person (as
pre-
y for
(inclu and there are no
well as any
screening
home
ding
concerns for the  whānau or other
has not
visits
pre-
health of any
persons present)
been
where
scree
person residing
to wear a face
possible for
pre-
ning
at the address
covering during
all
screening
those
we intend to
the home visit
occupants
has not
you
visit.
(these can be
of an
been
are
provided by Ara
address
possible
visiti
Poutama
for al
ng);
Hand sanitiser
occupants
and
should be
A face mask
utilised before
should be

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
and after the
Aotearoa, if
worn when
of an
•  Remo
val
activity is
needed)
undertakin
address
and
completed.
g any home
dispo
Hand sanitiser
visits.
It is a legal
sal of
should be
requireme
1982
PPE
utilised before
Glove use is  nt for staff
after
and after the
discret
Act iona to wear a
the
activity is
ry, but
face mask
visit
completed.
encouraged
when
. Please
undertaki
r
Information efer to
ng any
the Undert
home
aking Safe
visit.
Official
Visits Guide  Glove use
the
for
is
information  discretion
about mask
ary, but
under
use by
encourage
people on-
d. Please
sentence.
refer to
Released
the
Hand
Undertaki
sanitiser
ng Safe
should be
Visits
utilised bef
Guide for
ore and
informatio
after the
n about
activity is
mask use
completed.  by people
on-
sentence.

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
Hand
sanitiser
should be
utilised be
fore and
1982 after the
Act
activity is
completed
.
Information
Physical
distancing
must be
Official
increased
the
to 2m+
under
Travelling
All staff and
All staff and
Community  Communit
in
community
community
Work is
y Work is
community
work vans
workers MUST
workers MUST
ceased
ceased
wear a m
Released ask
wear a mask
under Alert
under
while in a
(except when
Level 3 –
Alert Level
community work
eating and
however
4 –
vehicle
drinking) and
Community
however
maintain a
Work
Communit
physical distance
vehicles
y Work
of 1 metre while
and
vehicles
in a community  Community
and
work vehicle and  Work Staff  Communit
at all community
may be
y Work
work sites.
utilised to
Staff may
transport
be utilised

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
See Preparing
prison
to
Community
leavers
transport
Work Sites Level  from prison
prison
2 for more
to a home
leavers
details
address,
from
public
1982 prison to a
transpo
Act  rt
home
not being
address,
available.
public
PPE to be
transport
used as per  not being
Information  the
available.
guidance
PPE to be
Official
used as
per the
the
guidance
under
Working at
As long as a 2m
A corrections
N/A
N/A
community
distance can be
issued mask and
work sites
Released
(including
maintained, the
at least 1 metre
Activity
Activity
Agency)
CWS or agency  distance must be
ceased
ceased
sponsor can
maintained.
make a decision
about the use of
Work sites are
PPE
limited to 4
workers plus a
Work sites
community
return to 8
work supervisor
workers plus a

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
community
work supervisor
Interactions  Whilst
The Ministry of
Al  non-
Al  non-
at court,
circumstances of  Health guidance
essential
1982 essential
community
Act
accommoda
each
for physical
activity is
activity is
tion on
environment wil   distancing (at
ceased,
ceased,
prison land,  vary the, the
least 2 metres)
otherwise
otherwise
or any
Ministry of
and use of a
follow Level
follow
other
Health guidance  mask should be
2 g
Information  uidance
Level 2
necessary
contact
for physical
followed.
guidance
away from
distancing i.e. at
See
Community  least 2 metres
1.  Befor
Official e
Working
Corrections  apart should be
commencing
the
with Courts
sites
followed. If
the task
during
physical
Confirm the
under
availability
COVID-19
distancing
and location
for
cannot be
of PPE and
guidance
maintained,
disposal bins
Personal
2.  Consider the
Released
Protective
length of
Equipment (PPE)
time you
will need to
including mask
continuously
and gloves must
wear PPE
be used.
and change
to new PPE
when:
1.  Before
commencing
o  The
the task
mask
Confirm
has
the availabi
beco
lity and

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
location of
me
PPE and
damp,
disposal bins
soiled
2.  Consider the
length of
,
time you
dama
will need
ged
1982
to continuou
or
Act
sly wear
hard
PPE and
to
change to
breath
new PPE
e
when:
throu
Information
o  The
gh
mask
has
o
Official  Glove
beco
s
the
me
when
damp,
they
under
soiled
have
,
beco
dama
me
ged
soiled
Released or
or
hard
dama
to
ged
breath
o  OR
e
dispo
throu
se of
gh
all
PPE
o  Glove
s
imme
when
diatel
they
y
have
after

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
beco
being
me
in
soiled
close
or
conta
dama
ct
ged
with a
1982
suspe
o  OR
Act
dispo
cted
se of
or
all
confir
PPE
med
Information
imme
case.
3.  Follow the
diatel
four-step
y
dispos
Official  al
after
process:
being  the
1.  Remo
in
ve and
close
safely
under
conta
dispos
ct
e of
gloves
with a
2.  Perfor
s
Released  uspe
m
cted
hand
or
hygien
confir
e
med
using
case.
alcoho
3.  Follow the
l-
four-step
based
disposal
hand
process:
sanitis
1.  Remo
er
ve and
3.  Remo
safely
ve and
dispos
dispos

Alert Level 1 See
Keeping Safe at
Community
Scenario
Corrections
Alert Level 2
Alert Level
Alert Level
COVID-19 Alert
3
4
Level 1 for
further guidance
e of
e of
gloves
mask
2.  Perfor
into a
m
rubbis
hand
h bag
hygien
4.  Perfor
e
m
1982
using
hand
Act
alcoho
hygien
l-
e
based
again
hand
using
sanitis
alcoho
Information
er
l-
3.  Remo
based
ve and
hand
dispos
Official  sanitis
e of
the
er
mask
into a
rubbis
under
h bag
4.  Perfor
m
ha
Released  nd
hygien
e
again
using
alcoho
l-
based
hand
sanitis
er

Regional leadership teams, including the Regional Operations Director Health,
should continue to make risk-based decisions about increasing the use of PPE for
staff, where they believe it may be required. E.g. Where there is a change in the
COVID-19 situation in the community, but no corresponding change in alert level,
decisions can be made to increase the use of PPE to a higher alert level. Where
there are unique operational environments that present additional risk, decisions
on PPE use should be considered jointly with health and prison/regional
leadership teams. Where increased use of PPE is occurring, COVID leads should
advise logistics (procurement) to ensure enough stock is available.
Storing, Using, and Disposing of PPE
PPE stock must be used sparingly, but staff safety is
paramount.
1982
Act
Gloves, masks and hand sanitiser for your site is to be ordered from your local
prison.
Information

Masks must be used as specif
Official  ied in the scenarios
above
the
•  Suitable masks are provided by Ara Poutama Aotearoa
under
•  Other face coverings must not be used. This is because face coverings may
assist with preventing someone who has COVID-19 from ‘giving’ it to
another person, but face masks provide better protection for preventing
both the ‘giving’ and ‘r
Released  eceiving’ of COVID-19. Replace the mask every 4
hours or if it becomes damp, damaged, soiled.

Gloves – safe use
•  On occasions, people can be sensitive to materials and substances used in
glove manufacture. The most common one being latex sensitivity. If you
suspect or know you are sensitive (or al ergic) to latex, ensure you use the
nitrile gloves available.

•  After using gloves or when taking a rest break, make sure you wash and dry
your hands, let your hands ‘breathe’, take time to apply barrier cream or
consider changing your gloves. Gloves wil  general y need to be changed
when damaged or soiled, before going to rest breaks and using the
bathroom, at a time period of every 2 hours or if hands become excessively
sweaty inside the glove.
•  When removing gloves, ensure you use the correct technique and peel back
from the inside placing one glove inside the other and putting straight into
the bin.
•  Wash (or sanitise) your hands BEFORE you put on another pair of gloves.

Hand Hygiene
1982
Act
•  It is important that we ensure our hand hygiene is as good as it can be - this
wil  help reduce the risk of spreading any virus and germs.
•  Hand hygiene is also vitally important where gloves are not specified as
mandatory.
Information
•  Hand washing is the MOST effective way of removing any risk of virus
getting into our system from hand contact.
Official
•  Warm water & soap - 20 second
the s is needed.
•  Dry hands, especial y between fingers and round wrists.
under
•  NO need to apply sanitiser if you are going to put gloves straight on your
hands after washing.
•  Use barrier cream/hand cream when you can, especial y if hands feel dry.
Released
•  If you notice ANY rash or itchiness on your hands - report into the H&S
Tracker system so further advice can be provided.
Using Hand Sanitiser
•  This is general y used when water and soap are NOT available.
•  Some hand sanitisers can be irritating to the skin - if you know you have
sensitive skin then DON’T use it! If you do use hand sanitiser, fol ow these
tips:
•  One pump of sanitiser is sufficient to clean the hands.

•  More is not always better.
•  Ensure the sanitiser has absorbed into your skin BEFORE you put on gloves
(damp hands inside the gloves wil  increase the risk of skin problems)
•  Alcohol based sanitiser must not be accessible by prisoners. A smal  amount
can be applied to their hands for them to use, observed by staff, but they
must not have free access to alcohol-based sanitiser. All alcohol-based
sanitiser in prisons must be wel  control ed and stored/locked appropriately.
Skin Problems
By fol owing the guidance provided and assuming you have no known al ergies to
substances, latex etc - skin problems should not normal y occur.
If you notice any rashes, increased itching, swel ing of your fingers o
1982r hands which
are NOT normal for you - then report this immediately and wai
Act t for advice on how
best to proceed.

Information
Disposing of PPE
•  Al  PPE needs to be disposed of in the bio
Official  hazard bin
the
Further guidance on how to use PPE effectively can be found on the Ministry of
Health’s website
under
Last Published:  22.09.2021  |  By: Bex Elowen  |  Content owner: Case
Management and Probation Practice
Released

Document Outline