Covid Update - August 2023
I am very pleased to say this should be our last Covid update.
On 14 August the Government announced, with a surprising lack of fanfare, that all the remaining Covid-19 restrictions would be removed on the 15th. For over 3 years we have been living and working with differing Covid restrictions, from masks to lockdowns. During that time, I have been constantly impressed with the adaptability and resilience of our clients and the team at Polson Higgs as we responded to the pandemic together.
In this newsletter we are going discuss some of the things you should consider as we move into a post pandemic environment.
Enjoy the newsletter, and if you have any questions just ask.
Michael Turner
In this update we are going to cover:
- Wage subsidies
- Isolation
- Health & Safety and other Policies
- Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme
- The world has changed
Wage subsidies
With the removal of the isolation requirement, the Government also removed the wage subsidy for staff while isolating or sick with Covid. However, you can still apply for any employees who started self-isolation before 13 August 2023. Your application can be made up to 8 weeks after your employee finishes self-isolation and can be no later than 11.59pm on 10 October 2023.
Isolation
Whilst the Government has removed the requirement to isolate if you test positive for Covid, they still recommend that you isolate for 5 days. However, your household contacts don’t have to isolate, but it is recommended that they test for Covid with a RAT. It is still important to report your RAT results, so the Ministry of Health can monitor Covid.
Health & Safety and other Policies
Over the past three years employers will have made changes to their Health & Safety and other policies to reflect the requirements of the Government restrictions. You should undertake a review of all your policies and procedures and if required update them to reflect the new post restriction environment.
Alongside that review, you should also check if any changes were made to employment contracts for covid restrictions. If you have made changes to employment contracts, that you wish to change, then you will need to consult with the employee before making any changes.
If you would like more detailed information or assistance, please contact our HR Manager Lisa Sintmaartensdyk on 03 474 9708 or lisa.sint@ph.co.nz.
Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme
The scheme was first introduced in May 2020, and was updated in February 2022. The scheme remains open until 31 December 2023.
If eligible you can borrow up to $110,000 ($20,000 plus $1,800 per employee) for a period of five years. The first two years are interest free, and at 3% for the balance of the term.
There are a range of eligibility criteria, but the key one is a revenue decline of 30% due to the impact of covid. The test is a measure of revenue in a 14-day period in the last 6 months compared with the same period a year ago. If that period was also affected by covid then two years ago.
If you are interested in the Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme you should contact your Partner or Manager to discuss eligibility.
The world has changed
Covid changed how we live and conduct business, and it is very different world from February 2020:
- Digital, Digital, Digital. From zoom meetings to online ordering our move to a digital world has been accelerated.
- Supply chains have shifted from “just in time” to holding more local inventory.
- Working from home is now normal, and no longer just the domain of the self-employed. Employees are looking for more flexibility around when and where they work.
- Our attitudes to working when you have “just the flu” has changed with people far more willing to stay at home.
- Over the past three years we have adapted to those changes, and they are now part of our “new normal”.
If you have a question about anything, please don’t hesitate to ask on info@ph.co.nz.
Stay safe and keep in touch.
Kind regards,
The Polson Higgs Team.
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