A positive case of COVID-19 was identified in the community on 17 August. It was subsequently confirmed that this is the Delta variant of Covid-19.
As a result, from 11.59pm, on 17 August, 2021:
- All of New Zealand moved to Level 4 – non-essential businesses will be required to temporarily close.
As at 23rd August:
- All of New Zealand will remain at Alert Level 4 until 11:59pm on Friday 27 August, with a review on Friday.
- Auckland will remain at Alert Level 4 until 11:59pm on Tuesday 31 August 2021, with a review on Monday.
Locations of interest
The Government are identifying locations of interest and these are listed here.
A reminder of the golden rules of Level 4
Level 4:
- All gatherings are cancelled and all public venues, including restaurants, cafes and bars, are closed.
- People are instructed to stay at home in their bubble other than for essential personal movement.
- Travel is severely limited.
- Businesses are closed except for essential services – for example, supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics, petrol stations and lifeline utilities will stay open.
- Schools and educational facilities are closed.
Key resources you will need:
- Letter/email for you advising your employees of the temporary emergency closedown of business (this is a member only resource, so login first)
- Guide to temporary closure of business and employee payments (this is a member only resource, so login first)
- Closedown checklist
Business support
The Government has confirmed that there is business support available. The measures include:
- The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) which is available nationally when there is a regional or national move to Alert Levels 3 and 4 for a period of seven days and helps eligible businesses keep paying staff and protect jobs.
- Businesses will be eligible for $600 per week per full-time equivalent employee, and $359 per week per part-time employee.
- Applications for the wage subsidy opened at 9am on Friday 20 August, 2021. Apply here.
- The Resurgence Support Payment (RSP) is a payment to help support businesses or organisations with one-off costs due to a COVID-19 alert level increase to level 2 or higher. This is available to eligible firms at the same time as the WSS. Eligible businesses and organisations can apply to receive the lesser of:
- $1,500 plus $400 per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee, up to a maximum of 50 FTEs
- four times (4x) the actual revenue decline experienced by the applicant.
- Applications for the resurgence support payment open at 8am on Tuesday 24 August, 2021. Apply here.
Other existing support for individuals includes the Leave Support Scheme (LSS) and Short-Term Absence Payment (STAP).
The Government has said a hard and early response is the best tool to stamp out any potential spread and everyone in New Zealand is asked to stay calm, be kind and play their part.