Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has already stood up rapid response teams in the four most impacted regions: the East Coast, Waikato, Northland, and Bay of Plenty regions. Additional teams will be stood up in additional regions before the end of the week, including Auckland; Central; Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast; Southern; and Taranaki, King Country, and Whanganui. These teams are actively contacting employers and working with them to support their staff, explain the services and supports MSD can offer, and provide support for clients affected by COVID-19. We have also agreed to the temporary removal of stand-down periods from 23 March. This will ensure faster access to financial assistance for those that apply and are eligible for a main benefit. As I said in the House yesterday, my focus has been on ensuring that MSD remains poised and ready to support those who are able to stay in work, find alternative work, or enter into further upskilling and training if and when required.