No images? Click here Industry Update - Covid19 #6Keep up to date with Official Covid-19 information here. Destination Coromandel will endeavour to keep you posted with relevant information for your business and remaining visitors in the region at this time. International Travellers in New ZealandTravellers remaining in New Zealand are asked to return home as soon as they are able to. Essential information for International Flights remain the same. If you are still hosting guests, please pass on this information.
Domestic TravelAll domestic travellers are advised to return home and strongly discouraged from non-essential travel while COVID-19 Alert Level 4 is maintained. Air New Zealand have updated information for travellers needing domestic flights, this includes a video update with advice for NZ customers.
Travel Information ServicesThames, Whitianga and Waihi i-SITES are now closed. If you or any remaining visitors need travel information for The Coromandel you can call: 0800 651 477 The local numbers for Thames and Whitianga are still active, but will redirect to the 0800 number. All other information centres are closed. Destination Coromandel can be contacted here. Please remember Lynette is the first point of contact to support The Coromandel tourism industry. Essential Businesses - AccommodationIs accommodation an essential service? Definitely. Visitors have to stay somewhere. Accommodation of all types – hotels, motels, holiday parks, Airbnb etc. If people want to offer bedrooms (must have attached ensuite bathrooms) to stranded tourists to enable them to weather the storm/self-isolate that’s OK. However self-isolation rules and the 4-week stay must apply. (attachment) Who pays? As of this moment the visitor pays. This MAY change depending on the circumstances going forward as visitors start to run out of funds, but government still thinking through that scenario. What if visitors check in after level 4 restrictions start – from 11:59pm Wednesday? Guests must stay for the full period of required self-isolation – currently 4 weeks, but that may change. They cannot leave the accommodation establishment and move around NZ. However, they are able to go for walks, buy essential supplies etc. provided they follow physical distancing rules. Properties need to consider the ability of guests to pay, unless they are prepared to bear the costs. They must also ensure that guests follow self – isolation procedures. How do visitors find accommodation? Visitors can contact the Temporary Accommodation Service to register for accommodation support on 0508 754 163. Many regions are adding to the list of accommodation providers. Thames and Whitianga i-SITE staff will be checking to identify what accommodation is available be in the Thames Coromandel District (and potentially Hauraki thereafter). This is in preparation for the eventuality that accommodation is required locally. Please understand that this too is a rapidly evolving situation. What if a visitor is out of funds? In the first instance they should contact their embassy/consulate, particularly if they are looking to exit the country ASAP. Being on this list means that IF there are government repatriation flights in the future, they are in the queue. Embassies/consulates often have some provision to help distressed nationals https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/embassies/
Info from Temporary Accommodation Service - Self Contained VehiclesNew Zealand will move to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 on or before 11.59pm on Wednesday 25 March. All persons will then be required to self-isolate for a minimum of four weeks. Campgrounds are essential services and permitted and encouraged to stay open during Alert Level 4. However, shared facilities must not be used and owners may wish to close these off where possible. Self-contained vehicles can be used as accommodation by persons that are self-isolating. Self-contained vehicles have a toilet, water and waste facilities and will display a sticker confirming they meet the Self-Containment Standard NZS 5465:2001. Those using self-contained vehicles to self-isolate are strongly encouraged to stay at commercial camping sites, if available. They must remain at the same site for four weeks or until the Alert Level is reduced. Note that during Alert Level 4, Department of Conservation campsites will be closed, along with many local council-owned freedom camping spots. Vehicles that are not self-contained must not be used for self-isolation. Those currently living in vehicles that are not self-contained must find alternative accommodation while New Zealand is at Alert Level 4. There is a phone number for people seeking assistance with finding temporary accommodation for self-isolation should call the Temporary Accommodation Service on 0508 754 163.
Finally Destination Coromandel would like to encourage everyone to do everything they can to stop the spread of COVID-19 in The Coromandel and New Zealand. Support each other while practicing safe physical distancing and remind others not to take any chances. |