Guidance on Mandatory Record Keeping

Guidance on mandatory record-keeping

Mandatory record-keeping requirements will come into effect from Wednesday 8 September 2021 for all businesses and locations south of Auckland and from Friday 10 September 2021 for all Northland businesses and locations.
This means many businesses and locations will need to have record-keeping systems and processes in place, so visitors can keep a record when they visit. This can be done by scanning QR codes with the COVID-19 Tracer App or making a manual record.
Paper-based registers should be maintained and recorded from an individual behind a counter (i.e. your receptionist) rather than viewed and operated by everyone who enters the building. If this is inconvenient or not staffed – people should be using a ballot box system.
The Privacy Commissioner has provided guidance on how to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act while complying with the new record-keeping requirements.
New resources have been added to the posters section of the Unite Against COVID-19 website. These include three new ‘record-keeping box’ templates in different sizes, new record-keeping slips, and a sticker for custom boxes.

There will be no explicit obligation on the person responsible for the place or gathering to ensure that people are making a record. The obligation on businesses is to have systems and processes in place to ensure (as far as reasonably practicable) that customers or visitors make a record.
Businesses will not be required or expected to turn people away who may refuse to make a record of their visit, particularly if the person becomes aggressive or abusive. This will be at the discretion of the business.

Visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website to get information on mandatory record-keeping including: