New Zealand has recorded the first Covid-19 positive tests and the country has gone straight into lockdown.
The tests show that this is a newly introduced strain of the virus and has no links to suggest that there has been any dormancy or re-emergence of the virus last experienced by the community some 102 days ago.
Although Auckland was put into Level 3 for 3 days this has now been extended and Auckland will remain in a mostly locked down situation for another 11 days, making up one incubation cycle.
New Zealand does not want to experience a Victoria-like outbreak which would decimate the economy.
What Does This Mean For Auckland Business?
Auckland will remain at Level 3. This means that businesses can only open if workers cannot work from home
AND
The workplace can operate safely from a Covid 19 perspective.
This is a 2 prong test and both conditions need to be met before the business can open.
Irrespective on if your business meets this criteria and can open or not, customers are not allowed on the premises in any case.
If your business can trade without physical contact with your customers, and it meets the first 2 conditions, then it can open.
Not having physical contact includes your business being able to trade online, you may be able to offer delivery or your business offers a pickup or drive-through facility.
No business in Auckland can offer services that include close personal contact unless it has been deemed an essential service or it is an emergency.
Essential services include supermarkets, dairies (the New Zealand term for convenience stores) and petrol stations which are allowed to have customers on the premises.
If you operate a retail business in Auckland, and you can meet the first 2 conditions, you may be able to continue business if you offer a delivery service or allow non-contact collection at your door.
Remember, customers are not allowed on the premises.
If you are a food outlet, you can offer food for pickup or delivery. Customers are not allowed to consume food or drink on your premises.
Your business will need to keep contact tracing records of anyone who has close interaction. This would include staff and any contractors on site.
Your business needs to display the government QR poster for use with New Zealand’s COVID tracer app and this needs to be in place by 19 August 2020.
The information in this article is indicative of NZ tax rules and changes and not intended to be complete for all intents or purposes and does not constitute advice. It is recommended that you obtain professional advice, suited to your particular circumstances, from us before acting on anything you read.