COVID-19 – Everything you need to know

On this page you will find all the important information about COVID-19 and studying at EIT.

COVID-19 – Update 13.9.22

New Zealand’s COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system) ended Monday 12 September. Click here for the latest updates. This is a huge milestone after years of hard mahi for us all, but we recognise that it may be worrying times for some.

Here’s what it means for us at EIT;

  • You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are visiting a health care facility. Some people may choose to continue wearing masks.
  • You do not need to physical distance, and classrooms will go back to their original capacities prior to COVID-19.
  • COVID-19 Signage will be taken down over the coming days and we will working to remove other measures that have been put in place.
  • There is no limit on indoor or outdoor gatherings
  • Positive cases will still need to self-isolate for 7 days.
  • Household Contacts no longer need to isolate for 7 days. If you live with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, the MoH recommends you: take a RAT each day for 5 days and avoid contact with the positive case.
  • All government vaccine mandates will end at 11:59pm, 26 September 2022. This means EIT’s COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance will need to be updated. We will be in touch about this.
  • For those ‘at risk’ people we recommending continuing with your own precautions. Please discuss with your doctor or EIT staff if you have any further concerns.
  • Continue to wash and sanitise your hands, and cough into your elbow.
  • Please do not come to EIT if you are sick, symptomatic or positive.

For more information visit the COVID-19 website.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

From 15 April 2022 staff, students, visitors and contractors no longer need to be vaccinated in order to come ‘onsite’. Some organisations and placement providers we work with or enter into may still choose to use My Vaccine Passes. Students enrolling in health programmes will need to affirm that they will be able to meet the health and other requirements (including vaccination) of practicum or placements, before their enrolment is accepted.  Contact your programme administration for more information around your programme requirements.

EIT remains focused on keeping all members of the EIT community safe in its response to the evolving COVID-19 situation. EIT strongly encourages the EIT community to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive future boosters as they become eligible. EIT continues to support the health and safety measures to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19.

Student Laptop Loans

Student Laptop Loans are still available for students who meet the following criteria:

Your classes have been moved unexpectedly online OR you are required to self-isolate due to COVID-19

Please note, these are the only criteria for which laptop loans will be approved.

If you meet these criteria you may apply using this form

If approved, laptops will usually be available for pick up from our libraries in Taradale and Tairāwhiti, but will be couriered to self-isolating students.

Please ensure you provide your correct address and phone number, and your tutor’s name.

EIT Student Hardship Fund

Students please note – this fund is now closed.

The fund was made available by the government to specifically support students who were in need due to COVID-19. Due to this funding, EIT has been able to support more than 4,200 students with Hardship Grants over the last two and a half years.

Ministry of Education Update

Read here the update from the Ministry of Education about financial student support and tips for your wellbeing.

EIT Incident Control Team

EIT has an Incident Control Team (ICT) working on the protection and health of all of the EIT student and staff community.

The team has prepared EIT pandemic action plans guided by the developing Ministry of Health guidelines and is working behind the scenes to support EIT students and staff through the COVID-19 pandemic.