Dealers to open at all levels of new Covid strategy
Dealerships and automotive businesses will be able to fully open once district health boards achieve double-dose vaccination for 90 per cent of their eligible populations.
The move is part of the government’s new “traffic light” system to manage the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on October 22 details of the three-tiered Covid-19 Protection Framework, which will replace the current alert-levels structure once every district health board in the country has hit the 90 per cent target.
She said at all three of the new risk settings – red, orange and green – businesses, retail and public facilities will generally be able to remain open for vaccinated people.
Businesses and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement a vaccination entry requirement for customers. If a company does not wish to request proof of vaccine, it will have to operate with strict limits on capacity and space requirements, and may need to close at orange and red levels.
Ardern, pictured, explained: “It is quite simple, if you are a business that chooses to use vaccine certificates, you will get to operate at every level.”
Business boost
Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance, also announced that up to $940 million per fortnight will be available to support businesses as the country transitions to the new Covid-19 Protection Framework.
The resurgence support payment (RSP) package is being increased from the current base rate of $1,500 per eligible business and $400 for each full-time employee up to a total of $21,500.
From November 12, the figures will be $3,000 per business and $800 per FTE, up to 50 FTEs. This will take the maximum fortnightly payment to $43,000.
Robertson says: “In effect, this means the RSP will be a weekly rather than three-weekly payment as it is now, but for ease of application and administration it will be available in fortnightly instalments.”
The government has also unveiled a $60m package for business advice and mental health support to help Auckland businesses through the transition period. The wage subsidy will also continue to be available.
Companies can apply for up to $3,000 worth of advice and planning support, with up to a further $4,000 available to implement that advice through the Regional Business Partners programme.
How traffic light system works
Red
Used when action is needed to protect at-risk people and protect the health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations.
• Record keeping and scanning will be required
• Face coverings will be mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public venues, recommended whenever leaving the house
• Public facilities — open with up to 100 people, based on 1m distancing
• Retail — open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing
• Workplaces — working from home encouraged
• Regional boundary restrictions will apply.
Orange
Used when there is an increasing community transmission that is putting pressure on the health system.
• Record keeping and scanning will be required
• Face coverings will be mandatory on flights, public transport, in taxis, retail, public venues, and encouraged elsewhere
• Public facilities will be open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing
• Retail will be open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing
• Regional boundary restrictions will not apply.
Green
Used when there are some Covid-19 cases in the community, and sporadic imported cases.
• Record keeping and scanning will be required
• Face coverings are mandatory on flights and encouraged indoors
• Public facilities, retail, workplaces, schools, open without restrictions.
• Regional boundary restrictions will not apply.
For more details on the Covid-19 Protection Framework, click here.
