Inevitable but not desirable, says Marisa Bidois, Restaurant Association CEO on the current alert level 4 extension.
“Auckland businesses will have to keep their businesses closed for yet another week and the financial drain is taking its toll on business owners and their employees,” says Marisa Bidois, Restaurant Association CEO.
“With no assurance of a wage subsidy extension into Level 2 for Auckland based businesses, and severely restricted trading even when we do arrive there, our businesses are having to make extremely difficult decisions to hang on for another week.
“What continues to be pushed under the carpet is the crippling losses that so many industries unable to operate at levels 4 and 3 are facing.”
Auckland will remain at Level 4 until 11.59 pm on Tuesday September 21.
Level 2 rules
The rest of New Zealand will remain at Level 2.
“This time around all staff are required to wear masks and signing in is mandatory. Diner numbers will also be restricted to 50 people per venue with one metre distancing between tables,” says Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois. “Masks are recommended to be worn by customers and diners will need to be seated and separated.”
“There are some new rules for businesses under the new alert level 2 so we are asking that anyone dining in or picking up takeaways, remembers to scan in and wear a mask. This will make things easier for the industry as we get used to opening under new guidelines.
“As an industry we are united in our desire to fully open our businesses and in a way that keeps staff and customers safe. We know that we can do this, but we do need to work together to ensure that we’re all sticking to the rules.
“Whilst our businesses outside Auckland appreciate the opportunity to open up their shop fronts once more, it is under even greater restrictions than previously, further reducing revenues.
“We would like to see more support for business owners by way of targeted fiscal assistance to help them cover their fixed costs and compensate for their revenue losses.”
What You Need To Know
Level 2 operational guidelines
All restaurants, cafes and bars can have a maximum of:
- 50 people, all seated, inside their premises at a time, and
- 100 people, all seated, within the defined outdoor space.
- Diners must be seated and separated.
- Customer facing staff must be wearing masks
- All diners must use the COVID tracer app or sign the manual register.
Full level 2 operational guidelines for hospitality businesses are available here: https://covid19.govt.nz/activities/cafes-bars-restaurants-and-night-clubs/
