News / Events

Key announcements have been made today:

• Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the new COVID-19 Protection Framework, a 'traffic light' system which signals the way forward in the management of the pandemic. The overall goal is now to minimise and manage COVID-19 in the community, with work to control and contain outbreaks, and stamp them out wherever possible. 
• Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced details of additional financial support for businesses and employees, with a focus on those in Auckland. There is also funding for advice and mental health support available. 
• Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health) Peeni Henare announced details of additional funding to support Māori vaccination efforts, including those delivered by Māori and iwi initiatives.

There is quite a bit to digest, and more information for each of these announcments can be found below. However, the simple takeaway is that vaccination is now the primary tool to manage COVID-19, and:

• Businesses who require vaccination certificates will be able to operate at every level. 
• People who wish to go to a bar, a hairdresser, a gym, an event or gathering, will need proof of vaccination in order to carry out these actions at every level.

If you would like to book your first or second Vaccine you can find times and locations HERE.

The team at ScreenSafe will need a little time to establish the finer details of how the new COVID-19 Protection Framework will impact on the screen sector specifically, and we'll send through any updates as they come through. In the meantime we hope this information helps you understand the next stage in managing the impact of the pandemic both personally and professionally.

 

COVID-19 Protection Framework

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the new COVID-19 Protection Framework, a 'traffic light' system which signals the way forward in the management of the pandemic. The overall goal is now to minimise and manage COVID-19 in the community, with work to control and contain outbreaks, and stamp them out wherever possible. 

Once 90% of eligible New Zealanders are fully vaccinated and protected, the new framework will be introduced that does not rely on lockdowns as the main measure to stop the virus spreading.

Key details include:

• The goal is for 90% of the eligible population (12+) to be fully vaccinated within each DHB region.
• Auckland will move into the red setting as soon as all three DHBs hit the 90 per cent fully vaccinated target.
• Once all the rest of NZ's DHBs hit their 90 per cent fully vaccinated targets they will move into the orange setting.
• Vaccine certificates are to be mandated to access venues and events throughout the country.
• Where cases climb and vaccine rates are low, localized lockdowns can be used.
• Cabinet will review the progress NZ has made on 29 November 2021.

There are three different levels in the COVID-19 Protection Framework - Green, Orange and Red. Full details of the framework and the requirements at each level can be found HERE

Vaccination Certificates
Vaccination Certificates are in development and will be made available soon. There will be different vaccination certificates depending on whether you are using them within New Zealand, or for international travel. The QR codes will be different, and your international certificate will have more personal information.

You will be able to either print or save the QR codes on your smartphone in your Apple Wallet or Google Pay.

My Covid Record is where you can access details of the COVID-19 vaccinations you have already had — including date, time, location, and batch number. The information comes from the data stored in the national COVID-19 Immunisation Register (CIR). Soon, this will also be where you can download domestic and international digital vaccination certificates, and find your COVID-19 test results.

 

Financial Support & Mental Health Support

Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced details of additional financial support for businesses and employees, with a focus on those in Auckland. The Government will boost payments to businesses affected by higher alert levels as the country transitions to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.

Resurgence Support Payment Boost

After the next scheduled payment on 29 October Resurgence Support Payments will move to fortnightly payments at double the current rate. The enhanced support will first be paid on 12 November and fortnightly thereafter until Auckland is able to move into the new framework.

Currently the RSP is paid at a base rate of $1,500 per eligible business and $400 for each full-time employee up to a total of $21,500.

For the payments starting on 12 November this will be $3,000 per business and $800 per FTE, up to 50 FTEs. This will make the maximum fortnightly payment $43,000.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme will also continue. The estimated cost of providing both the weekly RSP and the wage subsidy is up to $940 million per fortnight through this transitional period.

APPLY for Resurgence Support HERE

Business Advice and Mental Health Support
A $60 million package for business advice and mental health support will be made available to help Auckland businesses through this transition period.

Businesses will be able to apply for up to $3000 worth of advice and planning support, and then receive up to $4,000 to implement that advice through the established Regional Business Partners programme. 

As part of the package, $10 million is available for mental health and wellbeing support through a programme to be designed with the EMA and Auckland Business Chamber of Commerce. 

Details of the additional business support announced today will be available HERE as soon as the changes have been updated.

Hardship Assistance for Low Income Earners
Income limits for Hardship Support through the Ministry of Social Development have been temporarily lifted so more people can receive assistance.

The extended COVID-19 restrictions are having an impact on low income households who tend to have less certainty of work. Currently a single person working 30 hours per week on the minimum wage is not eligible for hardship assistance from Work and Income. The Government is lifting the income limits for assistance to 40 hours at the minimum wage, or $800 per week and $1,600 per week for a couple with or without children. The temporary income eligibility criteria will come into force from 1 November for 4 months. 28 February 2022 will be the last day the increased limits will apply. More information HERE

 

New Fund to Accelerate Māori Vaccinations

A $120 million fund established to accelerate Māori vaccination rates and support communities to prepare for the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

The new Māori Communities COVID-19 Fund will directly fund Māori, Iwi, community organisations and providers to deliver local vaccination initiatives for whānau, and support Māori and communities to prepare for the new protection framework. $60 million will go towards accelerating Māori vaccination rates and a further $60 million will support Māori and iwi-led initiatives to protect their communities against COVID-19. More information HERE