covid 19 update

COVID-19 Business Update – 2 September 2020

Hello again – welcome to the latest edition of our Weekly Digest. Read on for this week’s update.

Auckland Lockdown Lifted

While schools and businesses reopened this week in Auckland after the lifting of the recently imposed lockdown, face masks were made mandatory on public transport across the country. This move is intended to contain the resurgence of COVID-19.

Limits on social gatherings in Auckland also remain, while the rest of New Zealand stays in Alert Level 2. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern encourages everyone to stick to the guidelines and do their part to win the battle against the coronavirus.

Doing Business at Alert Level 2

Now that New Zealand is back at Alert Level 2, here’s a reminder of the golden rules for doing business according to the Government:

  • Reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
  • All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are encouraged where possible.
  • Talk with your staff to identify risks and ways to manage them.
  • Ask everyone — workers, contractors and customers — with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises.
  • Keep workers 1 metre apart and customers in retail businesses 2 metres apart.
  • Keep groups of customers at least 1 metre apart, or 2 metres for retail businesses.
  • Businesses need to display a QR code and have an alternative contact tracing system.
  • Face coverings are strongly encouraged if you are in close contact with others.
  • Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
  • Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

NZ Government Allocates Hundreds of Millions of Dollars For COVID-19 Vaccine

A statement from the Prime Minister and Minister of Research, Science, and Innovation Megan Woods indicates that funding from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund will be in the order of hundreds of millions of dollars.

This comes in addition to the $37 million vaccine strategy from May, and would also allow NZ to join initiatives such as the COVAX Facility. The COVAX Facility is a global collaboration intended to accelerate the development, production, and access to COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and treatments.

Woods also mentioned that they are already in talks with a number of potential vaccine providers.

Business support schemes you might not have heard of

While you’ve probably heard about the wage subsidy and small business loans programs, there are other grants and schemes available to business owners that you might not have heard of. This article details 5 business support schemes that have gone under the radar including business debt hibernation and IRD penalty and interest relief. Ask us if you have any questions about what you’re eligible for and how to apply.

Mentoring Scheme Businesses

The Regional Business Partner Network gives business owners access to advice and resources on business continuity planning, finance and cashflow management, HR issues, and sector-specific concerns amid the COVID-19 crisis. You can find more details in this article from the Treasury. If you’re looking for ways to adapt your business, get in touch with us.

Government Loan Applications Extended

The Small Business Cash Flow Loan Scheme allows you to get financial assistance of up to $100,000 and an additional $1800 per equivalent full-time employee. Repayments are not required for the first two years, but if the loan is paid back within a year, there will be no interest.

The government has extended this loan until the end of the year. For those who haven’t applied for this government loan yet, you can check your eligibility here or you can get in touch with us so we can assist you with your application.

Avoiding COVID-19 Online Scams

Recently, there has been a significant increase in COVID-19-related online scams that steal your personal data, impersonate authorities, offer fraudulent medical goods and services, and make fake requests for charitable donations. Below are some tips from Google Safety Center to keep you from falling victim to these scams.

  • Know how scammers may reach you– Aside from emails, they may also use text messages, automated calls, and malicious websites.
  • Check trusted sources directly– Scammers may pose as trusted and authoritative sources. So directly visit reliable sources instead to get the latest factual information.
  • Be cautious of requests for personal or financial information, pause and evaluate before sharing– Do not provide confidential information such as logins, bank details, and addresses to suspicious or unverified sources. Donate directly through non-profits.
  • Double-check links and email addresses before clicking– Fake links imitate established websites by adding extra random letters and numbers or words, so be extra careful and check before you click.
  • Search to see if it’s been reported– Copy and paste the email address, phone number, or suspicious portion of the message on your search engine to check if it has already been reported.
  • Add an extra layer of security to your account– Add two-factor authentications to your accounts for extra protection online.

If you encounter phishing pages, you can report it here. For malicious software, you can report the site here.

Get in touch

Contact us if you have any questions or want to discuss the next steps for your business.