Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) from YWAM Furnace New Zealand
Last updated: Thursday, 2 September 2021 [2:30 PM NZDT]
Kia ora from New Zealand,
As a leadership team, we have been monitoring the continued outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) on a regular basis, we deeply desire to respond in faith while also recognising the impact this virus is having globally.
Most of New Zealand is at Alert Level 3 of New Zealand’s four-level COVID-19 alert system. Therefore we are in a strict lockdown and have ceased all face-to-face meetings and are meeting online. On Friday we will find out if the lockdown will be adjusted or lifted.
There is still a border closure to all travellers except New Zealand citizens and residents and from the Cook Islands. This travel bubble will open and close with short notice if any Covid-19 cases are found outside isolation hotels, so plans should be held lightly and any flights booked be changeable. We hope to see bubbles open up with other Pacific Island nations in the coming months as well.
No other foreign traveller can enter New Zealand, and all returning citizens and residents must isolate for 14 days upon arrival at approved isolation locations that have very limited spaces and a booking system (unless coming from Australia). This situation is very unlikely to change before early to mid- 2022.
The YWAM Furnace NZ team members who remain in-country are adhering to all governmental requirements. We are still gathering as a team online and the Furnace Prayer Room is currently not running. The health, safety, and well-being of our team remain our highest priority at all times, and we are so grateful to be together.
This is a dynamic and rapidly changing situation, we are having to adapt and respond to this situation often. Please see the below updates as things stand today. We will provide further updates as necessary.
COURSES
- Currently, we are only processing students who are in New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands - all other students are encouraged to apply for the July 2022 schools. If you are from the Pacific islands - there may be a chance that the border opens earlier and you could apply for schools in 2021.
- Upcoming in September we are planning to run:
- Quarter 4 (September)
If you are overseas you can join us for the Intro to One Thing online course. You can go to our website and submit your interest there.
PRAYER ROOM
Join us for the Furnace Prayer Room, once we open to the public again when we are at Level 2 and will be operating under the Governments guidelines for health and safety. We are located at Faith Missions Campus. 749 Welcome Bay Rd, Welcome Bay.
- Tuesday: 9AM-12AM Not open until Level 2
- Wednesday: 7-9PM Not open until Level 2
- Thursday: 9AM-12AM Not open until Level 2
- Friday: 9AM-12AM Not open until Level 2
As YWAM Furnace New Zealand, we are committed to:
- Taking the precautionary measures to keep all our homes and facilities clean and safe for all team members and residents
- Providing pastoral support and care for team members who are in the current nationwide quarantine
- Following the guidelines and requirements of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the New Zealand Government
- Timely and relevant communication with all our team members, residents, and applicants about important changes and updates related to COVID-19
We invite you to join us in prayer for the healing of those affected, wisdom for global leaders, and supernatural peace for those experiencing fear.
If you have any questions please feel free to email info@yfnz.org
Sincerely,
Josh Cole
Core Leadership Team
YWAM Furnace NZ
Tauranga, New Zealand
For current status of COVID-19 in New Zealand, see Ministry of Health:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
For latest travel restrictions, see New Zealand Immigration:
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/coronavirus-update-inz-response
