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, 12 August 2020

Government announcement - 11 August 2020
New Zealand's Alert Levels are changing at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August. Auckland will move to Alert Level 3, Canterbury and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2.

Alert Level Requirements:

• Level 4 – Lockdown
• Level 3 – Restrict
• Level 2 – Reduce
• Level 1 – Prepare

Alert level overview 

Alert level 2 system requirements

Alert level 3 system requirements 

Business Finance Guarantee simplified and expanded to support COVID-19 recovery
Changes to simplify and expand the Business Finance Guarantee Scheme will allow banks to make more loans available under the Government’s 80% guarantee.

Canterbury Public Transport at Alert Level 2 
Advice and guidelines to keep yourself and those around you safe.

Contact Tracing and QR Codes:

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.

EMA COVID-19 Web Series - Helping you get through
Listen to the EMA's Chief Executive Brett O'Riley, Head of Legal Matthew Dearing and Employment Relations and Safety Manager Paul Jarvie give an update on COVID-19 issues and answer a range of questions. 

Protective Equipment:

Buy NZ - Face mask information 
Face masks will be mandatory for anyone using public transport and travelling on planes from Monday. This new rule applies nationwide while the country is in alert level 2 or above. 

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:

Regional Travel Details
Advice for travelling between different regions of New Zealand. 

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

There are a number of assistance options available for businesses and employers/employees:

1. Resurgence Wage Subsidy
The Resurgence Wage Subsidy is a 2-week payment. It's available nationally for qualifying businesses who have had, or expect to have, a revenue drop of at least 40% because of COVID-19 for a continuous 14 day period between 12 August to 10 September compared to a similar period last year.

Details here.

2. COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme is available for employers, including sole traders, to pay their employees who can't work.

Details here.

3. COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Extension
A Wage Subsidy Extension payment is available to support employers, including self-employed people, who are still significantly impacted by COVID-19. Applications close just before midnight on September 1 2020 (11.59pm).

Criteria details here.

More details here. 

4. COVID-19 Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme (SBCS)
The Small Business Cashflow (loan) Scheme has been extended until the end of 2020. Applications can now be submitted up to and including 31 December 2020.

Details here.

5. COVID-19 Income Relief Payment
If you lose your job (including self-employment) from 1 March 2020 to 30 October 2020 due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for the COVID-19 Income Relief Payment.

Details here. 
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
Under Alert Level 2 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 info@cecc.org.nz or contact one of The Chamber’s advisory team. See all The Chamber contact information on our Advice and Support page.