Have a plan and be prepared in case you need to stay at home during a pandemic.
The Ministry of Health is working with the health sector and other government agencies to ensure New Zealand is as prepared as possible for a potential pandemic.
Staying at home
In a pandemic you may need to stay at home because:
- you are sick
- you are caring for a sick family or household member
- you are caring for a dependant (for example, if schools close).
Get prepared
Here are some simple things you can do to make sure that you and your family/ whānau/ household are prepared for a pandemic.
Have a plan
Make a plan with family and friends that includes:
- who will help with food and supplies if you and your household are ill
- who will look after your extended family if they don’t live nearby (for example, who could deliver groceries or meals to sick family members)
- who would look after your children/ dependents if they need to stay at home and you must go to work.
Think about whether you could work from home and what you would need to do this.
- Learn more about infectious disease prevention and control.
List key contacts
Have key contact numbers in a place that is easy to find (for example, on the fridge door).
Include the phone numbers of:
- the people living nearby who you could call if you needed help
- your doctor
- HealthLine (freephone: 0800 611 116)
- your workplace.
Build up your emergency supplies
Keep at least a week’s supply of food, tissues, and your usual medicines so you don’t need to make trips out in public.
You can read a list of suggested supply items to include in the pamphlet Getting ready for a flu pandemic – HealthEd website.
If you have an existing medical condition make sure that you:
- don’t run out of your regular medications
- take medications to keep any medical condition under control.
