COVID-19 | RESOURCES


This page brings together all official resources to support business relating to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) which have been made available.  This page is updated daily.
Alert Level 2

Moving to Alert Level 2 - Key Principles

Level 2 Checklist - Returning to work

Operating safely at Alert Level 2 - What you need to think about

Safe Work Protocols for Alert Level 2 - Highlights
Some helpful tips for the manufacturing industries

Safe Work Protocols for Alert Level 2 for the manufacturing industries
Alert Level 2 - WorkSafe Guidelines

Alert Level 2 - What's WorkSafe's Approach?
COVID-19: Information for workers
Checking that people are safe and well to work
Maintaining mentally healthy work during COVID-19
Operating safely at Alert Level 2 - what you need to think about
Physical distancing at work
WorkSafe expectations about contact tracing
WorkSafe expectations about PPE

Banking
Banking response to COVID-19 - NZ Banking Association

Close proximity services
Providing close proximity services during Alert Level 2

Construction
COVID-19 and working at the current alert level - CHASNZ

Hazardous substances and PECPR
WorkSafe expectations of businesses that have PECPR equipment, and those dealing with hazardous substances during Alert Level 2. 

Hospitality
Bars, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs during Alert Level 2
Re-opening or making changes to food business in Alert Level 2

Manufacturing
Manufacturing COVID-19 Safe Work Protocols - Highlights
Manufacturing COVID-19 Safe Work Protocols

Office spaces
WorkSafe expectations for office spaces

Public venues
Public venues during Alert Level 2

Retail
Retail during Alert Level 2 

Sports
Alert Level Information - sportnz.org.nz

Workplace travel
Travelling in vehicles for work
Business Support

Ashton Wheelans | Support for Small and Medium Sized Businesses 

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

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.

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. 

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.
Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme
Announced on 1 May 2020, the SBCS scheme offers interest free loans for a year, to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Click here for more information.

Applying for the SBCS loan
 
Eligible businesses and organisations 

New Zealand Business Number

Receiving and repaying the SBCS loan

Terms and conditions
Wage Subsidy and the Essential Workers Leave Support Scheme

UPDATE - Wage subsidy extension announced
Government has announced a Wage subsidy extension, which will be available from 10 June 2020. Eligible businesses will need to reapply through Work and Income once their current 12-week subsidy has come to an end. Visit Work and Income for more information.

Wage Subsidy Scheme Information 

Links to Wage Subsidy and Leave Payment Application forms: Employer application form and Self employed/contractor form 
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

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.