New Zealand is in alert level 4 lockdown following an outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19. The initial case, a man from Devonport, was unvaccinated and travelled from Auckland to the Coromandel during the weekend of August 13 – 15.
A full list of the locations he visited can be found here: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/contact-tracing-covid-19/covid-19-contact-tracing-locations-interest#current
More COVID cases were confirmed since then and further testing revealed that we are dealing with a new outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant of the virus.
Looking after your team and your business
At Alert Level 4, only certain businesses can open to the public and have customers on their premises.
You can open to customers if you are a:
- supermarket, dairy or food bank
- liquor store (in Licensing Trust Areas)
- petrol station
- self-service laundry
- health service, or an entity involved with the deceased or producing health sector materials
- accommodation service
- court or tribunal
- social and community-based service to maintain critical wellbeing or crisis support
- emergency services
- Parliamentary services
- transport and logistics service, including passenger transport by road, rail, air or sea
- school hostel.
All other businesses must not have customers on their premises.
If your business provides an essential service, ensure your team is safe and able to follow the government’s advice and health and safety guidelines for a Delta outbreak.
Review your plans for operating under an increased alert level with the knowledge that this is a more transmissible variant of the virus and also to ensure that you have enough PPE (such as masks, face shields, hand sanitiser and hand washing products).
Further information about alert level 4 and the requirements and restrictions for businesses can be found here: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/alert-level-4/
Financial support
The wage subsidy was reinstated. Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced last Tuesday evening the Government will reinstate its wage subsidy from Friday – if the country is still in lockdown. Businesses will be eligible for $600 per week per full-time employee and $359 per week per part-time employee. Any business in the country can apply for the subsidy from Friday if they anticipate they will experience a 40% loss of revenue due to alert level 4.
Robertson says payments will reach them within three days of their application. “A strong health response has led to a strong economic response – we’ve done this before and we can do it again,” Robertson said.
The COVID-19 resurgence support payment will also be reinstated, allowing businesses to get up to $1500, plus an extra $400 per employee up to a maximum of 50 full-time employees. Businesses can apply for both payments – the wage subsidy application will be via the Work and Income website, and the resurgence application will be found on the Inland Revenue site.
Other resources that may be helpful for your business:
Call Healthline free on 0800 611 116 for health advice and information if you experience cold or flu symptoms.
The Health Order
Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
Alert Level 4 | What to do at alert level 4
Doing business at Alert Level 4 | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
MBIE Website
MPI Information
Transport Guidelines from Ministry of Transport
Shopcare Retail Protocol for COVID19
COVID-19: Locations of interest | Ministry of Health NZ
Mental Wellbeing For You & Your Workplace — Mentemia
