Covid-19

How tourism businesses operate under the traffic light settings in the Covid-19 Protection Framework depends on the specific industry.

The seven-day self-isolation requirement for visitors is “hugely disappointing” for tourism.

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa will require all customers to be vaccinated from 3 December, when the government’s traffic light Covid-19 Protection Framework starts.

But the fully vaccinated visitors will still need to self-isolate for seven days.

The free NZ Pass Verifier app to scan and verify My Vaccine Passes is now available for businesses and events to download.

Employers will soon be able to use a tool from the government the assess whether they need to have their staff vaccinated.

Businesses will open under the new Covid-19 Protection Framework on Friday 3 December but no region will start in green.

Auckland War Memorial Museum will close on Saturday 20 November due to a planned protest at Auckland Domain.

Bookings jump for operators like The Rees while others breathe a sigh of relief but all seek more details to help plan for Auckland’s return.

But tourism businesses across the region may take months to return to pre-Delta levels.

The government’s tourism Industry Transformation Plan shows it is unaware of the harm being done to the sector, says Todd McClay.

However, people will need to be fully vaccinated or show a negative Covid test before leaving the region.

The Kāpiti Food Fair has been cancelled due to Covid uncertainty.

People will be able to visit attractions like Waitomo Glowworm Caves, attend events, and patronize hospitality.

Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult is welcoming compulsory vaccinations for Air New Zealand passengers from 14 December.

The easing of Auckland’s lockdown restrictions is inconsistent, say business groups.

Restrictions will ease for Auckland from midnight Tuesday allowing some attractions and retail to open.

Auckland Museum will join other attractions and open if the city moves to Covid-19 alert level 3 step 2.

Contingency plans are being drawn up in case vaccination rates do not reach 90% in parts of the country.

Operators now at level 3 say they have seen little business since Delta lockdowns started.

The top half of the Far North has gone into Covid-19 alert level 3 after two unlinked community cases were detected.

Time is running out for overseas travel retailers and wholesalers to book New Zealand for the 2022-23 season, says Tourism Export Council of New Zealand.

The inability of restaurants to open before step 3 of Covid-19 alert level 3 is disappointing for the industry, says the Restaurant Association.

Retailers, museums, and zoos will be able to open their doors as Covid restrictions loosen.

The trial of rapid antigen testing has started at 29 businesses including Air New Zealand and Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Auckland airports.

Christchurch has escaped a lockdown for now after two community cases of Covid-19 were discovered there last night.

Golfing, hunting, boating, fishing and scuba diving will be allowed from midnight in parts of the Waikato currently at Covid-19 elert level 3.

The govt’s new traffic light system is inadequate for tourism and provides no path to opening borders, say industry stakeholders.

Resurgence payments are being increased as the country transitions to a new Covid plan.

New Zealand will move to a new “traffic light” system to replace the Alert Level system as full vaccination rates top the 90% mark, says prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

Attractions at the popular tourist destination remain closed for at least another six days.

Wendekreisen Campervan & Motorhome Rental wants the government to provide targeted assistance to the rental vehicle sector.

Auckland and parts of the Waikato currently in Covid-19 alert level 3 will remain there, but Northland will revert to level 2 from 11.59pm on Tuesday.

The My Covid Record website is now live with vaccination certificates required for large summer events expected in late November.

The government has granted permission for the $3m-plus import of 300,000 Abbott PanBio Covid-19 Ag Rapid tests.

The tourism-reliant district needs to be ready – and highly vaccinated – for the return of visitors, says the mayor.

Northland and the regions of Waikato at level 3 will remain there until at least 11:59pm on Monday 18 October.

Northland and Waikato might be able move to level 2 this Thursday midnight.

“It provides cashflow to businesses and supports them to pay their bills while the country is at Alert Level 2 or above,” finance minister Grant Robertson says.

All of the top third of the North Island is at Covid-19 alert level 3.

From airlines to ski fields, tourism businesses are among the biggest applicants for support.

The government met business leaders today to discuss a rollout of the tests at workplaces.

The government has tagged 16 October as ‘vaccination day’ in bid to get the remainder of people in New Zealand inoculated against Covid-19.

The country’s largest airports are part of a group of companies asking for Covid-19 rapid antigen tests to be used at their worksites.

Tourism operators are starting to plan for an environment where Covid is always present.

People will need to be vaccinated to go to large summer events such as festivals and concerts.

PM Jacinda Ardern outlines the government’s new three-step plan to ease restrictions.

The loss of the Waikato market will whittle down already slim pickings for operators in neighbouring regions, already bracing for an absent Auckland market.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern is scheduled to announce the government’s decision on Auckland’s Covid-19 alert level 3 status about 4pm.

Attractions are resetting their school holiday expectations with Aucklanders absent.