Business groups are demanding more action and easing of Auckland’s border restrictions with appropriate testing and proof of a double vaccination.
It comes as the Government announced a phased three-step “roadmap” to ease alert level restrictions in Auckland.
From Tuesday, October 5, at 11.59pm, Auckland will remain at level 3 but with several key changes. Border restrictions will remain.
“Step 1” means Aucklanders can gather outside with no more than two households at a time, up to a maximum of 10 people.
Further easing of restrictions will occur at “step 2” and “step 3” however no timeframe has been given.
Cabinet has agreed the rest of New Zealand will remain at alert level 2 but the 100 person limit on hospitality venues will be removed.
In a joint statement ahead of the announcement, the chief executives of Business NZ, the Auckland Business Chamber and the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) said closed borders were “not an option under reduced Auckland alert level”.
They say an alternative approach should recognise the efforts Auckland has made while retaining a border but allowing freer movement across that border, with appropriate testing and proof of double vaccination.
“Businesses in Auckland are doing everything asked and more in many cases to try and operate safely and in the interests of the wider Auckland community,” Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett says.
“Our reward is to hear through a press conference that we’ll stay locked up. That is a devastating blow for many.”
EMA chief executive Brett O’Riley says there is an opportunity to further incentivise Aucklanders to get vaccinated, by making that a requirement for crossing the border under alert level 3 or 2, along with a recent negative COVID-19 test, which has been enabled by the availability of saliva testing by both public and private providers.
“We have the opportunity to acknowledge the work and commitment made by the long-suffering business community in the Auckland region, to promote vaccinations and testing.”
O’Riley says people must be able to start crossing the border with the requisite testing and vaccination safeguards, “otherwise economic activity will continue to be severely constrained, within Auckland and in other regions”.
“What we’re hearing indicates the Ministry of Health has too much sway in what is being proposed with limited regard to the mental wellbeing of business owners and their workers, or the economic and community chaos the ongoing lockdowns will cause in the region and beyond,” O’Riley says.
BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope has also expressed concern at the wider economic impact across New Zealand as Auckland remains heavily locked down.
“The current lockdown ring around Auckland has highlighted just how important the city is to national supply chains.
“Many businesses throughout the country in lower alert levels are still unable to operate at capacity because they can’t source critical materials, components, stock or people from Auckland.
“Having Aucklanders able to move around the region and the country is critical to the ongoing viability of many struggling businesses,” Hope says.
Meanwhile, Barnett says business “should be part of the conversation as trusted partners not left to become victims”.
“If we are all in this together then the rules should apply to all. If there is a rush to get to 90% vaccination of the population to prevent lockdowns, then what is government doing to make sure its own employees comply with that?
“Why is a truck driver able to cross regional borders and drive around the country without being vaccinated? And how can Brian Tamaki give Aucklanders doing the right thing the finger by flouting lockdown laws?
“Government needs to sharpen up and play fair. There is an urgent need to shore up their social licence and start supporting the people who are trying to keep the economy and their workplaces, employees and community safe and healthy by wanting all the stops pulled to get everyone vaccinated fast,” he says.
