Managing the impact of COVID-19, particularly the Omicron variant, on your business can be challenging.

Wairoa District Council chief executive Kitea Tipuna said Council is available to assist businesses with any information or support they many need.

“The government has been rolling out a lot of information, and it is constantly changing, and for some businesses it may be hard to keep up with your business as usual as well as trying to keep pace with the changes announced by the government and trawling through all the relevant information to support businesses during COVID-19 times.

“Council’s role is not to set the COVID-19 related rules and guidelines. But we do want to support our local businesses and are happy to help if needed. These last two years have been very challenging, and I admire the resilience our local business owners have shown.

“Now that we are in Phase Three, isolation will become less limited and testing can be carried out via RATS. However, we are also facing more COVID-19/Omicron positive cases and that will have an impact on local businesses. 

“We encourage our business community to have a plan for COVID-19, particularly the Omicron variant affecting your workers, suppliers or customers, and do everything you can to protect your workplace workers and community.

“This is also a great opportunity for local people to support their local businesses, tautoko Wairoa and spend locally.”

Mr Tipuna also suggested businesses inquire to see if they are eligible for the Close Contact Exemption Scheme. This is part of the Omicron response where workers at registered critical services who are identified as Household Contacts may continue to work.

Critical services included in the exemption scheme include:

• food production and its supply chain 
• key public services like health and emergency services 
• lifeline utilities such as power and water supplies 
• transport 
• critical financial services 
• news media 
• social welfare 
• human and animal health and welfare.

Businesses and organisations can self-assess and sign up to the scheme on business.govt.nz

For any local businesses needing assistance, please phone the Council offices on 06 838 7309 and Council officers will help where they can.

3 March 2022

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