Covid 'Traffic Lights' - from Friday 3rd December
The Government has announced that from Friday 3rd December New Zealand will move to a 'Traffic Light' system to manage the spread of Covid-19.
This move obviously has important implications for our business, our customers, and our staff. The consequences of this move are further complicated by the fact that our business has two distinct parts: The Cafe/Restaurant and the Retail Shop.
Current Government announcements about the Traffic Light system indicate that hospitality and retail will be treated quite separately and quite differently.
In order to best meet the announced requirements we must implement different rules depending on where in the building customers and staff are located (hospitality or retail).
This move obviously has important implications for our business, our customers, and our staff. The consequences of this move are further complicated by the fact that our business has two distinct parts: The Cafe/Restaurant and the Retail Shop.
Current Government announcements about the Traffic Light system indicate that hospitality and retail will be treated quite separately and quite differently.
In order to best meet the announced requirements we must implement different rules depending on where in the building customers and staff are located (hospitality or retail).
Government Restrictions and "My Covid Pass"
There are many factors that we have to consider before deciding on how we operate. These include:
- For hospitality, Government restrictions vary widely if "My Vaccine Pass" verification is used or not.
- For hospitality, if My Vaccine pass is not used, the Government restrictions at Orange and Red levels limit the Cafe to contactless only. There is little practical choice, for most hospitality businesses, than to adopt the "My Vaccine Pass" verification.
- While the "My Covid Pass" date has been set for hospitality, no legislation or rules have yet been passed (as of Tuesday 30th November) on how it must be used.
- For retail, restrictions will be the same if "My Vaccine Pass" verification is used or not, and are largely the same irrespective of the traffic light setting.
My Vaccine Pass - Our Requirements
We wish to keep our business operating, our staff employed, and our staff and customers safe.
From Friday 3rd December all customers in the Cafe/Restaurant area will require a My Vaccine Pass. For non-vaccinated customers we are sorry, but we will no longer be able to serve you in the Cafe/Restaurant.
Customers in the Retail Shop will not require a My Vaccine Pass. This may change once there is Delta community spread in Nelson.
From Friday 3rd December all customers in the Cafe/Restaurant area will require a My Vaccine Pass. For non-vaccinated customers we are sorry, but we will no longer be able to serve you in the Cafe/Restaurant.
Customers in the Retail Shop will not require a My Vaccine Pass. This may change once there is Delta community spread in Nelson.
Traffic Lights and My Vaccine Pass - How Will It Work?
Green
Green is when COVID-19 is across New Zealand, including sporadic imported cases. Community transmission is limited and COVID-19 hospitalisations will be at a manageable level. The health system will be ready to respond, including primary care, public health, and hospitals.
With My Covid Pass
- Our business can operate.
- We must sight all customers’ My Vaccine Passes, and it is strongly recommended we verify.
- Contact tracing applies.
Without Covid Pass for Now
- Retail may open without number limits.
- Contact tracing applies.
Orange
At Orange, there will be community transmission, with pressure on our health system. The whole of health system is focussing its resources, but can manage primary care, public health, and hospitals. There may also be an increasing risk for at-risk people.
With My Covid Pass
- Our business can operate.
- Face coverings are encouraged.
- We must sight all customers’ My Vaccine Passes, and it is strongly recommended we verify.
- Contact tracing applies.
Without Covid Pass for Now
- Retail may open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing (not including workers).
- Face coverings are mandatory (unless a person is exempt).
- Contact tracing applies.
Red
At Red, action is needed to protect at-risk people and protect the health system from an unsustainable number of hospitalisations.
With My Covid Pass
- Our business may open with up to 100 people and based on 1m distancing (whichever is the lesser) per defined space.
- Customers must be seated and separated.
- Face coverings are encouraged while customers are not eating.
- We must sight all customers’ My Vaccine Passes, and it is strongly recommended we verify.
- Contact tracing applies.
Without Covid Pass for Now
- Retail may open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing (not including workers).
- Face coverings are mandatory (unless a person is exempt).
- Contact tracing applies.
Lastly ...
The Government messaging around Covid regulations is currently changing almost daily. If you are confused or frustrated by this, we certainly get that!
Please be understanding and patient as our business, our staff, suppliers, and customers come to terms with the new rules and new processes. This is a time of change and confusion, much of it due to the Government's management of the situation. Our staff grapple with the changes thrust upon them as much as everyone else.
Please be understanding and patient as our business, our staff, suppliers, and customers come to terms with the new rules and new processes. This is a time of change and confusion, much of it due to the Government's management of the situation. Our staff grapple with the changes thrust upon them as much as everyone else.
