Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on the evening of 27 February 2021, New Zealand has been shifted back up in the alert level system, coming into effect at 6am on 29 February 2021. We need to accept that we may come in and out of different levels until herd immunity has been achieved via vaccination. You can access our list that articulates the roles and responsibilities of employees and employers during these level changes here.A key point to be made is that there is a Resurgence Support Payment available to help support businesses during a level increase (level 2 or higher).Eligibility relies on the following criteria:A 30% drop in revenue over a 7-day period compared with what would be ‘typical’ in a 7 day period in the 6 weeks prior.The business or sole trader must have been in business for at least 6 monthsThe business must be considered viable and ongoingCharites and not-for-profits might be eligible providing they meet all other criteriaAmount you may be eligible for:The maximum amount you will be eligible for is dependent on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees and your level of revenue.The subsidy is calculated as $1,500 per business, plus $400 per FTE (up to 50 FTE). The maximum payment is $21,500. Sole traders can receive a payment of up to $1,900.Employees working up to 20 hours per week are considered part-time (0.6 FTE)Employees working 20 hours or more per week are considered full- time (1.0 FTE)Further information on the Resurgence Support Payment is available here.Please note that this blog is not be substituted for legal advice. Please contact us if you need assistance in drafting policy or procedures in regard to working from home or other COVID-19 related matters.
