As part of the New Zealand Government’s plan to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have moved from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 at 11:59pm on Monday 27 April.
We will stay in Alert Level 3 for two weeks, before Cabinet reviews how we are tracking and makes further decisions on 11 May.
At Alert Level 3 we must still be vigilant. We can keep working together to unite against COVID-19 by sticking to the rules.
What will life look like at Alert Level 3? What does this mean for your business, for events, travel and transport, and for the people in your ‘Bubble’?
You will find detailed answers and information here: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/alert-level-3/ .
Useful posters for your business can be downloaded here: https://covid19.govt.nz/resources/posters/
New Zealand is still in a state of national emergency, which was declared on 25 March 2020 due to COVID-19.
Leave support for workers extended
The Government extended the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme ahead of the move to Alert Level 3 on 25 Apr 2020.
The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme will be available to all businesses, organisations, and self-employed people, not just essential services. This will support workers at higher risk from COVID-19 as we move to Alert Level 3. The other criteria remain the same, including that businesses must be experiencing hardship due to COVID-19.
It covers workers who are unable to work from home and need to self-isolate. This could be because they, or someone in their bubble, are sick, have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 or are at higher risk of becoming severely sick if they contract COVID-19.
The weekly rates of the scheme will remain at $585.80 for full-time workers and $350 for part-time workers.
Applications for the expanded scheme open Friday 1 May. Applications received for Essential Workers Leave Support prior to the shift to Alert Level 3 will continue to be processed and approved.
You will find more information on New Zealand’s COVID-19 response, resources and expert advice for the FMCG industry and supermarkets in our special MAY 2020 edition of FMCG Business – out soon in digital format. To subscribe, visit https://www.fmcgbusiness.co.nz/subscribe/ .
