Weekly Digest – 22 April 2020

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the country and around the globe, leaving nearly no one completely untouched. But among the tragic stories are also stories of incredible resourcefulness. This week we’ve included some recent updates and helpful resources we’ve found to help you through this.

Level 3 announcement

You’ve likely heard by now that New Zealand will move to Alert Level 3 from Tuesday 28 April. Schools will be able to open soon after this move to Level 3. Alert Level 3 will be in place for at least 2 weeks before this is reviewed again.

Rules for businesses at Level 3

The government is asking people to keep working and learning from home if they can. If your business requires close physical contact, it can’t operate at Alert Level 3.

Further requirements for Level 3 include:

  • Customers cannot come onto your premises, unless you operate a supermarket, petrol station, dairy, pharmacy or permitted health service.
  • Your business must be contactless allowing customers to pay online, over the phone or in a contactless way.
  • Hygiene measures must be maintained

Government help

The government’s website has information on ways they are helping businesses through COVID-19. You may be eligible for schemes such as the Wage Subsidy, Business Finance, and tax changes. Please reach out to us to find out which option is best for your situation.

Use this time to plan ahead

As cliche as it is, we encourage business owners to ‘make lemonade out of the lemons’ they have been dealt recently. If you have found yourself stuck at home with more time on your hands, this is the perfect time to do those things you’ve been putting off. Have you got a solid business plan in place? What about a marketing plan for your growth? And more specifically, what do you plan to do when COVID-19 settles down and business goes back to normal? It might sound a little boring, but your business will be better off in the long run if you invest this time now. Chat to us to see how we can help.

Ways to help small businesses

If you want to help small businesses in your community, here are 11 ideas to help out with your time, money and other resources. The article includes good suggestions like buying gift cards, leaving positive reviews online, or ordering takeaway.

This week’s good news

Every week, we like to bring you a good news story. The response of some people to the pandemic has been amazing and none more so than Army veteran Tom Moore, 99, who has raised £23 million for the healthcare workers by doing laps of his garden. His original target was £1000! Like Tom, we are all finding our own ways to make the best of the strange new world we are in.

Here to help

It’s certainly been a tough few weeks but we’re here to help. Thank you for your continued patience as we wade through government announcement and package requirements. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.