The Prime Minister has announced that Auckland will remain in Alert Level 3 until Sunday 30th August and the rest of the country will remain at Alert Level 2.
We’re looking for the quickest possible return to level 1 trading but we had expected the government might extend the level 3 period within Auckland until Friday. However, the closure for another full weekend, which are key trading days for members is another blow. Many of members have already been in contact with us since the announcement to share their disappointment.
Keeping the rest of the country at level 2, also seems an unnecessary measure given where the current clusters are. We are currently looking at a closure rates of between 10 and 12 percent of all hospitality businesses as a result of the restrictions.
We know many of our members are desperate for help as we cannot sustain these ongoing closures and restrictions and yet we’re still being denied targeted support. We’ve faced ongoing restrictions to trading and reduced visitor numbers from the ongoing closure of the border.
Dine out to Help out
The Association has launched a nationwide petition calling on the government to adopt a scheme similar to the UK’s “Eat Out to Help Out” initiative, to assist our industry, which has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. The petition calls on the House of Representatives to urge the Government to provide targeted support for the hospitality industry through a home-grown version of the initiative. The petition, which closes tonight, currently has just under 3000 signatures, garnered in just five days and is the 10th highest signed petition on the petition’s website.
View the Restaurant Association’s statement following the extension to Level 3 and 2 here.