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Industry News

COVID-19 – Advice and support

22 September 2021

Supporting the New Zealand tourism industry through COVID-19

Unite for the recovery is the Government website about COVID-19. See your own backyard is the tourism page. 

Our thoughts are with those affected by the pandemic and we are thankful for the efforts of those working to prevent and contain the spread of the virus. 

Discussing Tourism webinars 
TIA is hosting a series of webinars to help support the industry through COVID-19 issues and beyond. Find out more

Jump to: 

Current status

Latest updates

Advice for operators

Managing mental health

Advice for tourism employees

Cancellations


Current status

All regions are at Orange in the COVID-19 Protection Framework

It is important to note this is a rapidly evolving situation and that this risk assessment may change as more information on COVID-19 and its epidemiology becomes available. 


Advice for operators

COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system)

Guidelines for accommodation operators (red/orange status)
TIA, in conjunction with other industry associations, has developed supporting guidance for the accommodation sector to operate under the Traffic Light System: CPF guidelines for accommodation providers.

Guidelines for tourism activities (red/orange status)
TIA, in conjunction with other industry associations, has developed supporting guidance for the activity sector to operate under the Traffic Light System: CPF guidelines for tourism activities.

See also the Guidance for Transport Operators.

Financial support

COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment
The COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment helps businesses to pay their employees who cannot work from home while they wait for a COVID-19 test result. This payment is also available to self-employed people.

Who is eligible for the COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment, and how to apply.

 

Risk assessment advice

How insurance will react to the COVID-19 outbreak will differ for each individual business. If your business has been directly affected by the outbreak please contact your insurance broker for an in-depth review of your policy schedule and wording to qualify if any cover is provided.


Managing mental health 

Public discussion of COVID-19 can be distressing and it’s normal to experience symptoms of stress. Help and professional support is available. 

If you feel you are not coping, it is important to talk with a health professional. For support with grief, anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 – free, anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to talk with a trained counsellor.  

Online resilience support programme
The psychologists at Umbrella Wellbeing Ltd spotted our request for support for members and have responded with access to their online resilience support programme. TIA members can access this programme through MyTIA

EAP Services
We know times are difficult for many tourism operators right now. Three-quarters of respondents to our last survey were concerned about their personal health and wellbeing. TIA has therefore arranged for EAP Services to provide employee assistance support to our members at a heavily discounted rate.  

Government advice
See the Government's COVID-19 page for more advice on managing mental health.


Advice for tourism employees

Workforce support - Go with Tourism 
Go with Tourism is an initiative developed by Auckland Unlimited, in conjunction with TIA and the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust, to build New Zealand’s tourism workforce. 

Through one-on-one interactions, an online Knowledge Hub and curated innovation sessions, Go with Tourism aims to assist with redeploying displaced tourism workers and providing guidance to businesses in need of advice.

Assistance is available via gowithtourism.co.nz and a member of staff will be in touch within two working days to offer personalised support.

The platform is also a one-stop-shop for those wanting to upskill themselves, with free courses available online and options to explore educational pathways.


Cancellations

What should I do about cancellations?

How each business deals with cancellations is their own individual commercial decision to make. There are no easy answers - we have seen a variety of responses across the industry so far, with people balancing their current needs with a longer-term view of securing good relationships for the future when things ease up again. Refer to your terms and conditions and do what you need to do or what you can.

The Commerce Commission has released some guidance for businesses and consumers on consumers’ rights and businesses’ obligations for cancelled services and events

We have a force majeure clause in our agreements, can we use it now?

Yes, however, it depends on the wording. Lane Neave suggests seeking advice before looking to invoke one of these clauses.

Thanks to our strategic partners

Thanks to our strategic partners

Thanks to our strategic partners