New Changes in Travel Rules
The government has announced changes to prepare the country for the Omicron variant. Here are some of the key changes in the travel rules for 2022:
- The three-phase reopening plan will be pushed out to the end of February to provide more Kiwis the chance to receive a booster dose.
- Those entering New Zealand will need to provide a negative pre-departure test 48 hours before travelling, instead of 72 hours.
- MIQ will be changed to 10 days with a negative test required on the 9th day before release. Currently, MIQ is 7 days followed by 3 days at home.
- All countries will be removed from the Very High-Risk country list.
Consumer Confidence Dropped in the December Quarter
New Zealanders are feeling pessimistic about the economy due to rising interest rates and prospects of new COVID-19 variants, according to the latest consumer confidence data of Westpac.
Its consumer confidence index dropped 3.6 points in the December quarter, to 99.1. Any reading below 100 indicates that more people are pessimistic than optimistic about the economy.
Support available to you
Work and Income has a Find COVID-19 Support tool to help you find the support options you’re eligible for.
Change in Leave Support Scheme
The Leave Support Scheme is now a weekly payment, instead of a two-week payment amid the change in the periods of self-isolation.
This scheme is available to employers and the self-employed to help pay their employees who have been advised to self-isolate because of COVID-19 and can’t work at home during that period.
The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme is paid at the rate of:
- $600.00 a week for full-time workers who were working 20 hours or more a week.
- $359 a week for part-time workers who were working less than 20 hours a week.
You can learn more about it here.
Get in touch
Contact us if you have any questions or want to discuss the next steps for your business.
The post Weekly Digest – 23 December 2021 appeared first on Universal Content Master.
