We can count on your hands the number of weeks until Christmas 2021.
It’s during the warmer summer months where the industries who are most impacted by Covid-19 restrictions can replenish their cash-reserves after traditionally quieter months.
Delta is coming – it will be in the Western Bay community soon enough, it’s just a matter of when.
We’re all waiting to hear that a case has arrived any day now. The big question for local business owners is: will your business remain open leading up to Christmas?
The Government has said that areas outside of Auckland will continue to operate within the existing COVID-19 four alert level framework until all District Health Board regions have reached 90% double vaccinations of their communities. The Government may review this requirement at the end of November.
Businesses should be preparing for the two scenarios of whether NZ is using the old or new Covid-19 framework.
If Delta arrives in the Western Bay soon, there is a good chance that we’ll be in same restrictions that Waikato and Auckland are currently experiencing. That would mean a difficult and frustrating lead up to Christmas, on top of the supply chain issues, rising inflation, and staff shortages.
The new traffic light framework is far more flexible than the existing framework. Most businesses can choose whether they will require customers to show proof of vaccine. But some higher-risk businesses will be a required by Government to only allow vaccinated customers onsite in order to operate.
Under different traffic lights, businesses who choose to allow unvaccinated people on-site would face more Government restrictions than businesses who require proof of vaccination from customers before entering the premises.
It’s not just customers who need to show their vaccine passes. If a business requires vaccine passes from customers, they are also required to ensure everyone who arrives onsite is vaccinated as well. This includes employees, and I’m sure it will eventually include suppliers and service technicians (tradesmen) as well.
Keep an eye on the Chamber’s website for more guidance as we transition to the new traffic light framework. The new traffic light system will be implemented once we meet that 90% vaccination target and it will ensure we’re open for business this summer.
