A health science expert says the Government needs to bring forward its April benefit increases to help low-income families buy face masks.
New rules revealed by the Government on Tuesday make wearing masks mandatory in a variety of settings.
Auckland University Professor Emeritus at the Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health Innes Asher says the changes will hit poor families hard.
Asher says the Government needs to ensure low-income families have enough support to be able to buy masks.
"New Zealanders know that some families in poverty cannot afford masks and other public health measures. They cannot afford food.
"Also, it is children in the deepest poverty who are the worst affected by COVID-19."
Asher is calling for the Government to bring forward its planned benefit increase and "end the cruel and damaging policy of denying families on benefits the $72.50 per week payment that is given for children in low-income families not on benefits".
In May 2021, the Government announced a two-stage increase of benefit rates. The first increase on July 1, 2021 saw all main benefits lifted by $20 per adult per week.
The second is due for April, 1 2022 and will see all main benefits increase to levels recommended by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group in 2019. Families with children get an additional top-up of $15 per adult a week.
Despite the increase the Government has been criticised for the impacts its COVID policies have had on poor New Zealanders.
Analysis by Bernard Hickey shows Labour's COVID-19 policies resulted in the rich making almost $1 trillion, while the poor accrued $400 million in further debt to the Government. Foodbank demand also spiked with double the number of Kiwis seeking help in Auckland.
Additionally, research by the Child Poverty Action Group showed the Government's COVID policies contributed to an extra 18,000 children being pushed into poverty in the first year of the pandemic.
Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni has been contacted for comment.
Mask rules
The changes make face coverings mandatory at food and drink businesses, close proximity businesses, events, and gatherings.
Children, from Year 4 and up, are now also required to wear masks on public transport, including school buses.
Additionally, workers who are mandated to be vaccinated must now wear a medical mask - such as the blue surgical mask.
The changes also include stricter rules around what counts as a mask. Face coverings need to be an actual mask now, not a bandanna, scarf or t-shirt.
The rest of the mask rules from the red setting still apply including mandatory mask use:
- on domestic flights
- on public transport and at arrival and departure points, this includes Cook Strait Ferries and school transport but does not include designated carriages on specified Kiwirail services
- in taxis or ride share vehicles
- inside a retail business, for example supermarkets, shopping malls, pharmacies, petrol stations, and takeaway food stores
- inside public venues or facilities, such as museums and libraries, but not at swimming pools
- at a vet clinic
- in an indoor setting at schools, for example a classroom and assemblies. This includes students in Years 4 to 13 and staff
- inside at tertiary education facilities or when a visitor to a licensed early childhood service
- in the public areas within courts, tribunals, local and central government agencies, social service providers, and NZ Police
- in the public area of premises operated by NZ Post Limited
- when visiting a health care service, for example a healthcare or aged care facility.
People are also encouraged to wear a face mask whenever leaving the house in the red setting.
