Coronavirus

Air New Zealand continues to adapt its operations and re-shape its team in the wake of the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis.

A total of twenty-seven local tourism operators and businesses contributed to what was a total prize pool of $17k.

PM’s green-light for domestic travel from Thursday prompts wave of relief from operators, new campaign from RTOs, but warnings of the danger of further delays from TIA.

Former Wayfare boss, Richard Lauder, has called for the scrapping of alert levels arguing they were constructed for an upward path into lockdown, not for a move out of lockdown and a restoration of economic activity.

The Government is continuing to repatriate New Zealanders stranded overseas due to the Covid-19 outbreak, with 39 people from Vanuatu brought home via a New Zealand Defence Force C-130 Hercules.

Arrivals will now go into quarantine or managed isolation.

Tourism Talent has partnered with Go with Tourism in a bid to help the tourism sector bounce back from Covid-19.

Business confidence has plummeted amidst the current Covid-19 crisis, with a new survey showing 67% of businesses expect a deterioration in general economic conditions.

Prepare for a “tumultuous” year ahead with the winners being “those that are set up to thrive in a challenging environment”, says ASB.

BE Reconnected will focus on re-engaging and reconnecting vital industry relationships.

The navigation services provider says international traffic could take two years to recover. 

In the week after the Government’s 23 March lockdown announcement, scheduled airline traffic declined by 47%, or 8600 flights to 4400, compared with the same period last year, says Airways.

International airline seat capacity fell to just 23% of what it was in the first week of April last year, according to travel insights firm ForwardKeys.

Hospitality and accommodation in Christchurch was hardest hit with an 82% decline in spending in the week ended March 29 compared with the same week a year ago.

Nelson City Council is calling for the Ministry of Justice to enable the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) and councils to waive alcohol licensing fees in light of the Covid-19 shutdown.

Northland host families have opened their homes to international students as they sit out the Covid-19 lockdown.

Thanks to a capital raising in October 2019 the company’s cash balance is $42m, says the travel management software company.

Porritt Stadium in Hamilton has been set up as a Covid-19 self-isolation site for freedom campers at the request of the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.

The Bus and Coach Association says it is “dumbfounded” by the suggestion of one union organisation that bus companies are ‘double dipping’ on the Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme.

Roads into Egmont National Park will be closed following an order by Civil Defence in a bid to combat Covid-19.

The Thames Coromandel District Council is warning residences against travelling to their holiday homes for the Easter period, saying they need to abide by lockdown rules during the Covid-19 crisis.

A new Government Order has banned hunting while New Zealand remains in level four lockdown during the Covid-19 crisis.

Business debt hibernation and a director ‘safe harbour’ are among the amendments.

The operator says it will become a “much smaller, domestically focused” business.

Economy in “critical phase” with more damage being done the longer the lockdown lasts, says CEO Geoff McDonald.

The extraordinary growth in passengers to Queenstown Airport has come to a shuddering halt as Air New Zealand cut the resort from its lockdown domestic timetable.

Tens of thousands of international tourists now have the chance to return home.

Tourism marketing agency Tomahawk has launched a new website that lists accommodation options for people who need to self-isolate due to Covid-19.

Christchurch City Council has introduced a three-month rent holiday for commercial tenants.

Fullers360 has implemented a passenger register on its Waiheke and Devonport routes during the level four alert.

A lockdown track etiquette reminder has been issued by Queenstown Lakes District Council.

New Zealanders self-isolating on their return from overseas have been asked to consent to being contacted by text message, for the purposes of compliance checks.

Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower has been lit royal blue to “acknowledge and support the tireless efforts of front-line emergency services staff engaged in the fight against Covid-19.”

Some lenders are still reluctant to support operators despite the 80% Govt guarantee scheme, says the association.

Nelson City Council has announced a three month rent holiday for its tourism and hospitality tenants.

Essential workers will now be entitled to leave if considered vulnerable to Covid-19, have compromised immunity, or have susceptible people at home.

The bank’s latest economic bulletin from chief economist Dominick Stephens paints a grim picture for tourism. 

The new schedule allows only for essential travel only and air freight.

Businesses struggling to balance the books during the Covid-19 pandemic can now apply for the Government’s $6.25bn loan scheme via their bank.

The Government is looking at ways to fast-track consents for development and infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy and provide jobs during Covid-19.

Twenty-one New Zealand airports will remain open during alert level 4 as ‘lifeline utilities’ under the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act, says the New Zealand Airports Association.

Emergency help is one the way for foreign workers made redundant by the collapse in tourism, says Immigration New Zealand.

The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association is urging the aviation sector to work together to keep jobs in New Zealand, rather than lose highly skilled Kiwis to international markets in the recovery from Covid-19.

Business confidence plunged over the second half of March as the Covid-19 outbreak become a global pandemic, says ANZ.

Quest is offering up to 500 rooms for essential workers and returning travellers to use for self-isolation during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has contracted 25 motels to provide immediate housing to the homeless in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Queenstown Lakes District Council is asking holiday home owners spending lock down in the district to provide information on how many people are staying at their property.

The airline that emerges from Covid-19 will be much smaller and largely domestic, says CEO Greg Foran.

Around 70,000 people were on short-term visitor visas in New Zealand on the eve of the four-week lockdown, according to the latest government data.

NZ Airports chief executive Kevin Ward on the challenges the country’s airports face in a Covid-19 world.