Hi

Welcome back to another year in business! We hope you all enjoyed a well-deserved holiday break and are now looking forward to the new year ahead.

This week we take a look at the Coronavirus vaccine and what this means with regard to employer obligations. We also share with you an opportunity to have your say on Lower Hutt's RiverLink development. First up though, the latest COVID-19 updates.

Covid Updates

Fees increase for critical workers in managed isolation, from 1 January 2021
Digital boost - small businesses will be able to benefit from government-funded skills training and support
Pre-departure COVID-19 test will be required from travellers from the UK or the US arriving after 11.59pm (NZT) on 15 January
A reminder of Alert Level 1 rules, including travel and mask use
A reminder of the rules on doing business at Alert Level 1

Upcoming Events

Project Management Fundamentals
from One Day Training

Some form of project management exists in virtually every industry. This one-day workshop provides an overview of project management to get you on track to reach the project goal.

This one-day workshop is suited to managers and staff who are responsible for setting up projects and seeing them through to completion. No prior knowledge is required to attend the course.

WHEN: 15 February 2021, 9:00am-4:45pm

VENUE: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce

Find out more and BOOK

RiverLink is Underway

RiverLink incorporates transport improvements, including a new Melling Interchange and River Bridge, as well as walking, cycling and public transport links.

You are Invited to the Next Open Day on Saturday, 13 February 2021

When completed, RiverLink will greatly improve flood protection, stimulate urban development and have a hugely positive impact on the Lower Hutt CBD. Find out more about RiverLink here and come along to the Open Day to have your say on the draft design.

To Jab or Not to Jab?

Feature article from Silver Partner, McKone Consultancy

The arrival of 2021 follows in the shadow of 2020 – the Coronavirus. This is one bug determined not to give up easily. For some time yet we can expect to have our lives affected in some way, either directly or indirectly, by Coronavirus.

On the horizon however, is the promise of some relief in the form of a vaccine. Unfortunately, here in faraway New Zealand we must wait until the second quarter of this year before we see the vaccine starting to roll out. I’ll leave the pros and cons of waiting that long to other, more qualified voices to comment on.

In the meantime, employers need to be turning their minds to what the vaccine means for them and their business and their obligations as employers. Read more ...