Stats NZ stopped face-to-face survey collection from Sunday, 22 March 2020 until further notice, following advice from the Government Chief Science Advisor and the Ministry of Health, Stats NZ said today. However, we will continue to collect survey information by email and telephone.
While the current level of COVID-19 is still low, the risk of transmitting COVID-19 either by or to survey staff is considered too large to be acceptable, the Ministry of Health said. As the response to COVID-19 continues, the Ministry of Health will monitor the situation and advise agencies on when it is safe to resume face-to-face survey interviewing.
Like the flu, COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person. The scientific evidence confirms that COVID-19 is spread by droplets. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, they may generate droplets containing the virus that can infect someone in close proximity (less than 2 metres away).
“We did not take the decision to end face-to-face interviews lightly, but the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders and our staff remains our number one priority,” general manager collection operations Ray Freeman said.
“We hope that by taking this precautionary measure we can help protect everyone who completes our surveys, as well as our frontline staff. The aim is to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
We apologise to everyone who uses our data for any delays that may result from this decision. We ask everyone to bear with us as we work through the implications of this decision on key statistical measures.
We will provide regular updates as more information comes to hand.
Read Information about household surveys.
For further information please contact: [email protected].
