Weekly Digest – 28 October 2021

PM Announced COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Businesses

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for businesses, as the government strives to hit a 90% vaccination target.

Under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework, businesses such as bars, hair salons, and restaurants must require vaccine certificates from customers if they’re in close contact with them. Such businesses must ensure their employees are vaccinated if they wish to operate.

This mandate affects about 40% of the workforce in the country.

NZ Sets 90% Vaccination Target to End Lockdowns

The government has set an ambitious target of fully vaccinating 90% of all eligible people to end lockdowns. Under the new framework announced by the PM, people living in Auckland will regain many of their freedoms once 90% of people 12 years old and above across each of three districts are fully vaccinated.

Business Confidence Falls in October

Business sentiment fell in October as cost and inflation pressures intensified due to COVID-19 uncertainty, according to the results of an ANZ Bank survey.

A net 13.4% of respondents expected the economy to deteriorate over the year ahead, compared with a 7.2% pessimism level in September. A net 21.7% of respondents also expected their own businesses to grow in the next 12 months, up from 18.2% from last month.

Support available to you

Work and Income has a Find COVID-19 Support tool to help you find the support options you’re eligible for.

Wage Subsidy 2021 #5 open

Applications for the fifth Wage Subsidy are open for two weeks between 15 October and 28 October.

You can check the eligibility requirements here. Get in touch with us if you have any questions.

Inland Revenue is updating their systems between 21 and 28 October. This may delay some COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021 applications, because Work and Income will need to verify your information with Inland Revenue. You can still apply during this time.