Covid-19: Businesses close across the country due to staff isolating

Sunday, 6 March 2022

As Omicron cases continue to surge, the new self-isolation requirements mean businesses are losing staff as Covid-19 positive cases and household contacts are required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days.

The loss of staff to isolation has forced many businesses to close, either temporarily or permanently.

Businesses facing a 40 per cent drop in revenue because of Covid-19 are eligible for a new Government support payment of $4000 per business, plus $400 per full-time worker.

But the support was little help to many who had no choice but to close.

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Rising Covid-19 cases and new self-isolation guidelines for household contacts is forcing businesses across the country to close, either temporarily or permanently.

Nationwide:

Chief executive of kiwifruit grower Seeka, Michael Franks said 85 of its 1400 workers had tested positive for Covid-19. A further 50 were isolating.

Franks said the company wanted to hire another 4200 staff workers in the next two to three weeks to help bolster staff numbers.

BestStart, deputy chief executive Fiona Hughes said four child care centres across the country had closed, and another four had cut down hours, due to 287 staff members having tested positive for Covid-19.

Auckland:

New Zealand Couriers said on Wednesday it would only deliver critical items to and from Auckland as half of its workforce was not able to work due to the effects of Covid-19 impacts.

In an email to customers the courier company warned services in the city could move to “crisis status” unless volumes were significantly reduced immediately.

At crisis status it would move only medical necessities, the company said.

Little Creatures brewery in Auckland’s Hobsonville Point closed its doors temporarily as a result of the effects of Covid-19.

Peter Gordon was also forced to temporarily close his restaurant Homeland due to Covid-19.

“It was an incredibly hard decision, but such a simple decision, because there’s really no alternative,” Gordon said.

Other Auckland restaurants that have temporarily closed over the previous weeks include The Oyster Inn on Waiheke Island, Ponsonby Rd’s Prego, Lillius, The Grove, Ebisu, Soul Bar and Bistro and Gemmayze St.

Businesses are suffering with people staying home due to Covid fear. Pictured is Joe Emans owner of the Three Sisters Brewery in New Plymouth, which is another pub that has been struggling with filling seats.

Waikato:

Armadillos in the City was temporarily shut due to Covid-19 related staff shortages. Signs on the doors and a post on social media dated March 2 informed customers of the closure. The owner could not be contacted for comment.

New Zealand Couriers was also limiting deliveries in Hamilton, putting the city in the “critical” setting alongside Auckland.

New Plymouth:

Many Taranaki businesses say Omicron is harder for businesses than lockdown.

Three Sisters Brewery remained open, but said last week was the quietest period since opening over a year ago.

'It's been unusually quiet, it's slower than level 2 that we used to have,' co-owner Joe Emans said.

Retail is taking a hit too, despite the country's Covid-19 management now being in phase 3, which significantly reduces the number of people who have to isolate around every positive case.

Christchurch Chambers of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson says hospitality is the industry hardest hit by staff shortages and self-isolation requirements in the Canterbury region.

'There's a lot of anxiety, more so than last time around,' Maree Wiki, owner of Flora and Co, said.

'All business owners are feeling it.”

Wellington:

A Starbucks in Porirua’s Northgate Mall posted a sign on its front door on Sunday, which announced short staffing caused them to close at 4pm.

A number of Wellington retail stores, including Madame Fancy Pants on Cuba St and Peter Alexander on Lambton Quay, had been forced to close until staff returned from isolation.

Christchurch:

Christchurch Chambers of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson said while many businesses were facing strain, the hospitality industry was the hardest hit by self-isolation requirements.

“We know of several hospitality businesses that have had to reduce their hours, or not been able to fully service their customers. Which has meant far less money coming in,” Watson said.

Watson said hospitality was particularly vulnerable as it had already faced staff shortages before the self-isolation requirements.

But many Christchurch businesses had found ways to stay open, she said.

“We are seeing businesses do everything they include reducing hours of operation, reducing days open, just so they can continue to function with limited staff.”

Southland:

A prominent Invercargill tourism business said trade was dire as Omicron spread in the community.

Transport World executive director Jocelyn O'Donnell said the surge in Omicron cases had “definitely had an impact” on her Bill Richardson Transport World, Motorcycle Mecca and Dig This businesses, with people continuing to be wary about going out.

“In all honesty, it’s been dire,” O’Donnell said.

Julie Bryce, owner of Julie Bryce Fashion Emporium in Invercargill’s Kelvin St, said her business had never been quieter in 30 years, and she believed the Omicron outbreak was mostly to blame.