There is targeted support available for businesses impacted by Omicron including the following:
· Covid Support Payments are currently available and will be $4000 per business plus $400 per full-time employee, however this is capped at 50 FTEs or $24,000.
· There are also changes being made to the Small Business Cashflow Loans Scheme with the introduction of a 'top-up' loan. This loan allows those firms who have already accessed a loan to drawn down an additional $10,000 with a new repayment period of 5 years with the first 2 years being interest free.
· If your business is struggling to pay tax because of the impact of Covid, please login to myIR to see if you can delay payments for provisional tax and GST.
For further information - https://www.ird.govt.nz/covid-19/business-and-organisations
If you are an exporter or importer, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has set up a page on their website which brings together information from NZTE, the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Customs. Information on the page is reviewed daily. It also includes contact details for the relevant agencies for you to get in touch with depending on your situation.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Information for exporters (external link) — New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
If you are an exporter with a specific concern you'd like to discuss, NZTE has opened up access to a panel of external experts. If you are not already working with NZTE, you can call 0800 555 888.
If you are having difficulties or concerns about meeting your normal tax obligations due to the effects of COVID-19, Inland Revenue has a range of ways to help depending on your circumstances.
Tax relief – COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) (external link) — Inland Revenue
Get in contact with your bank if you’re experiencing cashflow issues, especially in regards to loans repayments or lack of funding. They might be able to help or put you in touch with someone who can.
Banking sector prepared for responding to COVID-19 (external link) — New Zealand Bankers Association
To ensure the long-term sustainability of your business, you should have a Business Continuity Pllan (BCP) for events like COVID-19. A BCP can help your business prepare for many kinds of emergencies, such as a global pandemic, an act of terrorism, a cyberattack, or a natural disaster like a fire, flood or earthquake.
Continuity and contingency planning
If you have employees, Employment New Zealand has specific guidance in response to COVID-19 including how to handle self-isolation and sick leave.
Workplace response to coronavirus (external link) — Employment New Zealand
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the workplace (external link) — Employment New Zealand
If you have questions about handling information about an employee that isn’t well, including if there is a serious threat to someone’s safety, wellbeing or health, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner has guidance to help.
Is it okay to tell other employees that a colleague is sick? (external link) — The Office of the Privacy Commissioner
When can I use the serious threat exception? (external link) — The Office of the Privacy Commissioner
If you're considering reducing people's hours or redundancies due to COVID-19, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has support and advice.
Coronavirus: Redundancy information for employers [PDF 114KB] (external link) — Work and Income
Immigration New Zealand has information for travellers, visa holders (including students), cruise ships and maritime vessels.
Coronavirus update: INZ’s response (external link) — Immigration New Zealand
If you’re a New Zealander living and traveling abroad, SafeTravel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has information to assist.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) (external link) — SafeTravel (MFAT)
If your travel plans are affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, Consumer Protection has guidance about cancelled or delayed flights and travel bookings.
Coronavirus – Are your travel plans affected? (external link) — Consumer Protection
If you run a travel business, Tourism New Zealand has information available.
COVID-19 – Information for industry (external link) — Tourism New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand has also released activity plans to support the tourism industry for the short to medium term.
Tourism New Zealand supports economic recovery from COVID-19 (external link) — Tourism New Zealand
If you have health concerns, information and advice about COVID-19 is available from the Ministry of Health.
COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) (external link) — Ministry of Health
Healthline has a free dedicated phone number for health advice and information about COVID-19, including registering self-isolation. You can call 0800 358 5453, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Access to interpreters is also available. For international SIMS, call +64 9 358 5453.
WorkSafe New Zealand has information about the business and worker requirement for keeping people safe and well in the workplace, as well as guidance about personal protective equipment (PPE).
Workplace preparedness for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (external link) — WorkSafe New Zealand
If you’re a landlord or tenant of a rental property affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, Tenancy Services has information about your rights and responsibilities. They also have guidance and next steps if you are experiencing discrimination.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – what landlords and tenants need to know (external link) — Tenancy Services
If you are a childcare centre, work in education or are the parent, caregiver and whānau of learners, guidance is available from the Ministry of Education.
COVID-19 (external link) — Ministry of Education
For further government information about COVID-19 including health advice and travel restrictions, check out the Govt.nz website.
COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) (external link) — Govt.nz
This article is in association with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Customs, Inland Revenue, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, New Zealand Bankers Association, Immigration New Zealand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Consumer Protection, Tourism New Zealand, Employment New Zealand, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Health, WorkSafe New Zealand, Tenancy Services, Ministry of Education, and Department of Internal Affairs.