The COVID-19 Protection Framework rules apply to all businesses, regardless of whether they choose to use My Vaccine Pass. If they wish, most businesses have the option of limiting access to their premises to people with a My Vaccine Pass (as a condition of entry), but this is no longer a requirement under the rules.
An updated My Vaccine Pass will be available from 24 May 2022 for anyone aged 12 and over who is up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as for those with a temporary medical exemption.
The new My Vaccine Pass will look different from the original.
If you are using My Vaccine Pass as an entry requirement, we recommend that you:
People can download a new My Vaccine Pass through My Covid Record:
My Covid Record(external link) — Ministry of Health NZ
More information on generating a My Vaccine Pass can be found on the Unite against COVID-19 website:
Proof of your vaccination status(external link) — Unite against COVID-19
Most businesses can limit access to their premise to people with My Vaccine Pass, or similar, as a condition of entry.
Businesses can do this as long as:
Access conditions are a business decision, and businesses do not need any further justification. Businesses may, however, choose to share their reasons for requiring vaccination, for example, where this is for consistency with an up-to-date work health and safety risk assessment.
There is, however, no obligation for a business to undertake a health and safety risk assessment or point to a public health basis for the access conditions that they set. If a business had based access conditions on these grounds, they may want to review those conditions to reflect updated public health advice.
The exception to this is vaccination requirements for workers or employees, where a business’ decision must:
COVID-19 controls at work - employer vaccination requirements and other measures(external link) — WorkSafe
Vaccines and the workplace(external link) — Employment New Zealand
Businesses choosing to require My Vaccine Pass as a condition of entry may continue to check customers' passes. We recommend that if this is implemented as a condition of entry, passes be checked at or near the point of entry, or as soon as possible after entry (for example, if there is only one staff member, this might be at the counter).
As checking a My Vaccine Pass is a business choice, businesses may also opt to accept other forms of evidence, such as international vaccination certificates. We recommend businesses consider the range of acceptable evidence in advance, and ensure staff understand the policy and are able to communicate it.
You can’t use the NZ Pass Verifier to scan International Travel Certificates.
NZ Pass Verifier(external link) — Ministry of Health
A business may build their own verifier app, or integrate verification into their existing systems, for example integrating the QR code scanner into existing smartphone apps or ticketing operations. Technical information including the formal specification for the QR code and additional resources, are available from the Ministry of Health.
The formal specification for the QR code(external link) — Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health Github page(external link) — Ministry of Health
Businesses should display posters or signage indicating to customers if entry is contingent on having a My Vaccine Pass (as they would for any other condition of entry). These can be downloaded from the Unite against COVID-19 website.
Posters for businesses and organisations(external link) — Unite against COVID-19
It is recommended businesses provide staff with wording for customers who do not wish to comply with entry requirements, and for customers who may have an expired My Vaccine Pass, so staff are best able to de-escalate a situation. Make it clear when workers should walk away or decide not to continue to engage with a person. Consideration should also be given to what kind of behaviour might mean calling the Police.
Businesses must continue to comply with all laws including the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).
Consider the systems and processes you have in place to keep workers safe and ensure your workers have adequate support, instruction, and information to perform their duties.
You must involve your workers and their representative (including unions) in creating these systems and processes.
Worker engagement and participation(external link) — WorkSafe
Plan for what to do if a person refuses to show their My Vaccine Pass, or becomes angry at the worker who is requesting their My Vaccine Pass.
Some practical steps could include:
My Vaccine Pass is available to everyone who is up-to-date with their vaccinations, and to the small number of people who are medically exempt from receiving the vaccine.
You should also consider whether you will accept other evidence from a person who asserts they are exempt.
Information on My Vaccine Pass and exemptions can be found on the Ministry of Health website.
COVID-19 vaccine exemptions and certificates(external link) — Ministry of Health