COVID-19

COVID-19: Information for disabled people and their family and whānau

What you need to do to stay safe and healthy

Important notice: The information and documents on this page are currently being reviewed and where necessary, will be updated in accordance with COVID-19 Protection Framework guidance by 3 December 2021.

17 November 2021: The health and disability workforce is currently under pressure due to the mandated vaccination order. Providers may have to reduce household management services and client visits to enable them to focus support to those most in need. If you receive home and community support services and are concerned about what this might mean, please communicate with your provider about your needs over the next few months.

See the Ministry of Health’s full advisory on Homes and Community Support Services.

Last updated: 14 October 2021

Sign language logo.

Easy Read.

This is where you will find information specifically for disabled people and their family and whānau as well as links to accessible formats.

If you are a disability or aged care provider see COVID-19: Disability and aged care providers.

On this page:

See also:

Advice for people who are unable to wear a face covering

We know face coverings are unsuitable for some people due to a disability or health condition.

An exemption card has been developed that you can show to transport operators, retailers and service providers.

Exemption cards are not mandatory but make it easier whenever you need to explain that a face covering is unsuitable for you.

Read more: COVID-19 – Advice for people who are unable to wear a face covering

Auckland Alert Level 3 guidance for disabled people

Auckland is now in Alert Level 3. The following is additional guidance to help support a safe Alert Level 3 through the three transitional steps that are specific to Auckland.

Alert Level 4 guidance for disabled people and whānau who employ their support workers

This guidance is for people on Individualised Funding (IF), Enhanced Individualised Funding (EIF), and Enabling Good Lives / Mana Whaikaha personal budgets who employ their support workers.

Read the Level 4 guidance for disabled people and whānau who employ their support workers (WORD, 271 KB)

Delta Alert Level 2 information for disabled people

The rules under Delta Alert Level 2 should be the same for disabled people as they are for non-disabled people. More restrictive rules for disabled people could be a breach of your human rights. Some of these rules are different to the ones we previously had under Alert Level 2 in 2020.

Vaccine advice for disabled people

See  information on the COVID-19 vaccine for disabled people and how you can book your vaccinations: COVID-19: Disabled people – vaccine advice

COVID-19 assessment and testing

There are new criteria for checking if a person has COVID-19. If you have symptoms, you should be assessed by your health professional. Depending on your symptoms and circumstances, you may or may not need to be tested for COVID-19. 

Read information on Assessment and testing. 

Getting disability support during COVID-19

For information about what disability support services are available at different Alert Levels see:

Accessible information in alternate formats

Accessible information about COVID-19 in alternate formats is available in the Resources and tools section:

Personal Protective Equipment

For information on when you should use PPE and how to use it see Personal protective equipment use in health and disability care settings.

How to get your flu vaccine

The flu can have a big impact on your health and the health of people in your community. A flu vaccine is recommended and free for people who are vulnerable and most likely to get more severe symptoms.

For more information see the Fight Flu website.

Advice for at risk disabled people

Some people such as those with underlying health conditions are more at risk of becoming very unwell from COVID-19.

For more information see Advice for higher risk people.

Be clean and careful

There are simple ways to protect yourself and others, and prevent future spread of COVID-19 - see Protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.

Getting food

Information on how you can get food at different Alert Levels:

Keeping safe and well

For information on what to do if you do not feel safe, go to Safety from abuse or violence during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Information on looking after your wellbeing during COVID-19:

Find the facts

Lots of people are talking about COVID-19 right now. It can be confusing when lots of people are saying different things. Make sure you get your information from official sources like the Ministry of Health and the COVID-19 website.

If people tell you new information, ask where they got it from – make sure it's official. You can use Google to check where the information is from or ask someone you trust to check if it is correct.

In this section

Page last updated: 14 October 2021

Print Feedback
Back to top