Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) from YWAM Furnace New Zealand
Last updated: Friday, 26 November 2021 [2:14 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.
New Zealand is moving to a new COVID response system, "Traffic Light System" on December 3rd 2021. This means the country will not go into lockdowns anymore, but there will be restrictions on each level of the traffic light depending on an individuals or businesses vaccination status.
There is still border closure into the country for all travellers except New Zealand citizens and residents who are able to obtain MIQ (Government-run quarantine) spaces. This situation is always evolving but currently, there is a three-step plan to open the borders:
- From 11:59 pm on Sunday 16 January 2022: fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers can travel to New Zealand from Australia without staying in MIQ.
- From 11:59 pm on Sunday 13 February 2022, opening to fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and those residence-class visa holders and other travellers eligible under our current border settings, from all but very high-risk countries.
- From 30 April 2022 onwards, opening to fully vaccinated foreign nationals (possibly staged by visa category).
People travelling from the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Niue are all able to travel to NZ now without MIQ.
Air New Zealand has announced that all international passengers will need to be fully vaccinated from February 1 2022 - except for people 18 and younger, and those who can't take the vaccine for medical reasons. All non-New Zealand citizens will have to be fully vaccinated before they're allowed to travel to New Zealand as of November 1 2021. All travellers, except those from exempt locations, will need to have evidence of a negative pre-departure test within 72 hours of their flight.
From 16 January, all people entering NZ will need to self-isolate for 7-days. Until then all returning citizens and residents must isolate for 7 days upon arrival at approved isolation locations that have very limited spaces and a booking system. Then + 3 days self-isolation.
The YWAM Furnace NZ team members who remain in-country are adhering to all governmental requirements. 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 - all other students are encouraged to apply for the September 2022 schools.
- Quarter 1
- Quarter 3
- We will be focusing on the deployment of the YWAM Koha
- Quarter 4 (September 19th)
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, we open to the public again and are operating under the Governments guidelines for health and safety. We are located at The Sanctuary at 159 Durham St, Tauranga CBD. The hours that the Furnace Prayer Room is specifically leading is:
- Tuesday: 8 AM-11 AM
- Wednesday: 7-9 PM
- Thursday: 8 AM-11 AM
- Friday: 8 AM-11 AM
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
