COVID-19 | RESOURCES


This page brings together all official resources to support business relating to COVID-19 which have been made available. 

If you need business advice, please contact our COVID Business Helpline on 0800 50 50 96. 

Key information

Manufacturing and Exporters:

Advocacy for Manufacturers and Exporters

Alert Level Overview 

Alert Level 2: What You Need To Know
We have created this resource as an overview of the guidelines and current support available for business, in one central location.

Alert Level 2: Doing Business 

Alert Level 2: FAQ's

COVID-19 Vaccine Business and Workplace Toolkit

Ashton Wheelans' COVID-19 Guide for Navigating Your Business Through Disruption

Business Travel Across Alert Level Boundaries 
Businesses need to provide their staff with proof of eligibility to travel across an Alert Level Boundary, such as the documentation generated at MBIE’s Business Travel Register.

Face Coverings Requirements
Face coverings are required for many workers and customers in customer-facing roles. Find out the rules and obligations for businesses.

Scanning/ Record Keeping
At midnight Tuesday 7 September It will become compulsory for many public-facing businesses to have a QR scanning or other record-keeping system for the use of every person entering their premises. 

COVID-19 Posters for Business 
There are new resources including posters and three new ‘record keeping box’ templates in different sizes.

Workplace Operations at Alert Levels
Guidance about workplace activities at different Alert Levels. 

Vaccinations: Requirements in the Workplace
We have had several queries regarding vaccination requirements within your business and for your staff.
Public Health Order on Essential Businesses: 17 August

Tips for checking in on a Colleague's wellbeing

Conversation starters for Managers
A useful resource for Mangers facing Employees with challenging situations.

Business Support Available
The lockdown has triggered business support, including the Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS), with applications open on Friday 20 August with the first payments usually available after three days. The Resurgence Support Payment will also be available to eligible firms at the same time as the WSS.

General cleaning advice
For detailed cleaning information and frequently asked questions.

New Zealand Immigration - COVID-19 Resources

Contact Tracing ,QR Codes and Bluetooth Tracing:

Ministry Of Health QR Code poster 
Display an official QR code poster wherever people enter your premises to support contact tracing with the NZ COVID Tracer app.

NZ COVID Tracer App
Contact tracing is essential. Download the NZ COVID Tracer App to use.

Bluetooth Tracing
Bluetooth tracing is not intended to replace the existing contact tracing processes or the NZ COVID Tracer QR codes. You still need to scan QR codes to keep track of where you’ve been. Bluetooth tracing is an added tool — it helps keep track of the people you have been near.  

Digital Enablement Tool:

New Zealand Digital Boost Program
A free set of resources and programs to help you bring your business online with confidence, ranging from marketing to accounting, operations and more.

Protective Equipment:

Buy NZ - Face mask information 
Face masks are mandatory for anyone travelling on planes throughout New Zealand.

Register of New Zealand Manufacturers who can produce personal protective equipment related to COVID-19 
Please note this list has been created through businesses opting in. It is up to the individual to do their due diligence before ordering or engaging with the companies listed.

Information for essential workers in health and non-health workplaces on using PPE 

Regional Travel:

Transport and travel by Alert Level 
Advice for travelling between different regions of New Zealand. 

Trans-Tasman Travel:

New Zealand Trans-Tasman Stakeholder Document
This document provides the Government position if travel circumstances change. Your business can use information within to provide a guide to share with your employees and consider your position and response in good faith. 

Assistance Options
Government support for businesses recovering from COVID-19. Details here.

1. COVID-19 Wage Subsidy
The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS). This payment is available nationally to help eligible businesses continue paying staff and protecting jobs. To reflect increased wage costs, the payments have been increased to $600 for full-time employees and to $359 for part-time employees. Applications are open (since Friday 20 August 2021), with applications initially open for two weeks. 


2. COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme  
The Leave Support Scheme (LSS). This payment provides a two-week lump sum payment of either $585.80 per week for full-time workers or $350 per week for part-time workers who must self-isolate and cannot work from home. The rates increase to either $600 per week for full-time workers or $359 per week for part-time workers from Tuesday 24 August 2021.


3. Resurgence Support Payment
The Resurgence Support Payment (RSP). This payment will be available to any business or organisation in New Zealand that experiences at least a 30% drop in revenue or a 30% decline in capital-raising ability over a 7-day period, due to a COVID-19 alert level increase of level 2 or higher. This will be open to applications from 8am on Tuesday 24 August 2021 and will be available until one month after a nationwide return to Alert Level 1. 

4. The Short Term Absence Payment
The Short-Term Absence Payment (STAP). This payment provides a one-off (once per 30 days) payment of $350 for workers who must miss work due to a COVID-19 test and cannot work from home. The rate increases to $359 from Tuesday 24 August 2021. 

5. The Small Business Cashflow Scheme  
The Small Business Cashflow Scheme (SBCS). This scheme supports small to medium businesses and organisations struggling with a loss of actual revenue due to COVID-19. Applications are open until 31 December 2023. 
 
Level 4

Level 4: Operating 
A summary on operating at Level 4 and the different levels.

Level 4: Doing Business 

Level 4: Transport Guidance 

This website has details around travel, plane, trains and automobiles. Also guidance for freight.

Level 4: Freight
Under transport guidance, all freight can move. The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order (No 9) 2021 has been published on legislation.govt.nz. For a copy of the Ministry of Transport’s Alert Level 4 Transport Operator Guidance, please email: [email protected]

Level 4: Recommended Evidence for Travel
Business Support

Ashton Wheelans | Support for Small and Medium Sized Businesses 

Business.govt.nz 
Government website which provides guidance and support to the public as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Changes to consumer credit and financial services regulations announced from Lane Neave (9 April 2020)

Financial Support
Covid19.govt.nz provides a comprehensive overview on what financial support businesses can expect to receive as part of the $12.1 billion support package.

Lane Neave | Advice and support on issues including leases, immigration, employment and funding 

List your job vacancy with Work and Income 
If you have a vacancy you would like Work and Income to help you fill, let them know on their online form and they will contact you. 

Meeting your legal obligations as employers  (as at 1 April 2020)
The primary objective of the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme is to preserve employment relationships by assisting employers to meet their wage costs at a time when businesses have significantly reduced or, in some cases, zero income. Read more about your obligations as an employer.

Navigating the Current Leadership and Human Resources Environment
The current Covid-19 business environment is very challenging for all businesses, While some will thrive, many others will be finding it tough and ultimately, unfortunately some may not survive. The Chamber's HR team are here to help your business.

NZ Government Website - covid19.govt.nz
This website has everything you need to know about COVID-19 in one place. Learn the simple steps you can take to unite against the virus and slow its spread. Find out what help is available and get the latest updates.

Rent Dispute Support 
Supporting Kiwi businesses to resolve commercial rent disputes.

Tax Relief
ird.govt.nz provides information on current and proposed tax relief for those affected by COVID-19.

Variation to Hours of Work Quick Guide

Working from Home Policy
View the Working from Home policy here.
Contact Tracing

Contact tracing for COVID-19
Contact tracing for COVID-19 Information about how the Ministry of Health and district health boards trace contacts of identified cases.

Contact tracing information sheet

Contact tracing register

Contact tracing requirements 

Contact tracing with NZ COVID Tracer app
Businesses need to keep good contact tracing records. Here’s what you need to know about contact tracing and the NZ COVID Tracer app.
Income Support

Business Debt Hibernation
Business debt hibernation helps companies and other entities affected by COVID-19 manage their existing debts until they can start trading normally again. For example, businesses may agree with creditors to delay repaying some of their debt.

Business Cashflow and Tax Measures Factsheet
The purpose of the Business Cashflow and Tax Measures Factsheet is to provide guidance to those who own commercial and/or industrial buildings on how the Government Economic Response Package will effect them.
International Trade

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for exporters
This site is a resource for New Zealand exporters to help them mitigate the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
 
NZTE Marketplace 
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has created an online marketplace to help New Zealand exporters find offers and requests for resource. 
Migrant Workers

Immigration New Zealand - Coronavirus update: INZ’s response

Immigration New Zealand COVID-19 Information for Migrants
This website provides information to migrants on the COVID-19 outbreak. There is also information available in other languages here.

Immigration New Zealand Factsheets
These factsheets summarise the immigration issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Other Resources and Useful Links

Business.govt.nz - Continuity and Contingency Planning

Commercial lease issues amidst COVID-19 from Lane Neave (8 April 2020)
Never has there been a time of greater scrutiny of commercial lease provisions than now as both landlords and tenants grapple with the impact of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Workplace & Scenario Guideline
This guideline provides steps and scenarios for both employers and employees to help keep their work environment safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Disruption Planning for Employers
This guide provides a comprehensive plan to support employers through disruption from major environmental or economic events.

Employment New Zealand - Workplace response: Workplace response to coronavirus

Exporters
The NZTE page has information around air freight and support there.

Hospitality Association
Advice, signage and templates for businesses in food and accommodation sectors.  

Implications of COVID-19 for consenting and planning processes from Lane Neave (8 April 2020)
As we get further into the COVID-19 lockdown period we are starting to get a clearer picture of the status of consenting and planning processes around New Zealand. Lane Neave have collated the following updates and guidance from the Environment Court, Ministry for the Environment and various local authorities.

Ministry of Education -  Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Ministry of Health - Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Tenancy Services - Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what landlords and tenants need to know

Tourism New Zealand - Coronavirus – Information for industry

Work and Income - Coronavirus: Redundancy information for employers

WorkSafe New Zealand - Workplace preparedness for novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Chamber

As the home and voice of Canterbury business, we are here to help.  Being part of the BusinessNZ Network, we are here to offer advice and support for businesses concerned about the risk or impact of Covid-19.

For advice specific to your situation, please contact The Chamber on 0800 50 50 96 or 03 366 5096, or email [email protected] or contact one of The Chamber’s advisory team. See all The Chamber contact information on our Advice and Support page.