Information Kit for Infrastructure Providers
Last Updated May 2006
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the current risk from bird flu becoming the next human influenza pandemic is high. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is currently updating its Pandemic Influenza Action Plan and is leading government-wide work to prepare for a possible pandemic in New Zealand.
The continuance of key infrastructure services (particularly in emergency situations) is vital to maintain social and economic conditions. The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) is taking a lead in fostering pandemic planning in New Zealand's infrastructure sectors (i.e. energy, communications, transport, and water and waste sectors). MED is being assisted by a number of other agencies, including the Ministry of Transport (on transport issues) and MoH (on overall planning, and on water and waste issues).
MED, working with the Ministries of Health and Transport, has developed this Information Kit to aid continuity planning by infrastructure providers.
The Information Kit comprises:
Infrastructure providers will also be interested in a report released in May 2006 by the Telecommunications Carriers' Forum (TCF) [link to TFC website] that assesses the service supply capabilities of the telecommunications industry during a pandemic.
1. Planning Guide
The Planning Guide contains a range of information, aimed primarily at "Infrastructure Providers", that may be helpful in planning for the impact of a possible influenza pandemic on their employees and their business. The Planning Guide:
- Briefly describes the New Zealand Government's actions to manage any future pandemic; and
- Contains some strategies for businesses to manage these impacts, including ideas about:
- How to maintain essential activities;
- How to contain/minimise the spread of infection in the workplace.
The information is necessarily generic, and will need to be adapted to meet the needs and circumstances of each Infrastructure Provider.
→ Planning Guide for Infrastructure Providers
2. Example of a New Zealand Workplace Influenza Pandemic Health Plan
This example of a recent pandemic health management plan was prepared by The Shell Company of Australia Limited ("Shell"), for use in their installations in Oceania.
MED acknowledges Shell's support in making this material available for consideration by other Infrastructure Providers.
→ Example of a New Zealand Workplace Influenza Pandemic Health Plan
3. Questions and Answers Log of Issues Raised by Infrastructure Providers
Recently asked questions, together with answers, are set out in a Q&A issues log. The log will be updated from time to time to reflect further questions, and as further information comes to hand.
→ Questions and Answers Log of Issues Raised by Infrastructure Providers
4. Information on Possible Internal Border Control Measures
The possibility that internal border control measures may be used to restrict the movement of people internally during an influenza pandemic has raised many questions from infrastructure providers and transport operators about its likely form, and what exemptions might be made for essential staff requiring access to a restricted area. This document aims to address these questions. This document is based on current thinking at the time of publication, and has been endorsed by the Ministries of Health and Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Planning Guide for Infrastructure Providers
This Planning Guide sets out a range of information, aimed primarily at companies that provide infrastructure services, that may be helpful in planning for the impact of a possible influenza pandemic on their employees and their business.
Questions and Answers Log of Issues Raised by Infrastructure Providers
Updated 12 May 2006 - Recently asked questions by infrastructure providers relating to pandemic planning, together with answers, are set out in this Q&A issues log.
Example of a New Zealand Workplace Influenza Pandemic Health Plan
This example of a recent pandemic health management plan was prepared by The Shell Company Australia Limited ("Shell"), for use in its installations in Oceania.
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