Update 24 January 2022 – Operating at Red traffic light
With the change to the Red traffic light restrictions for the whole country today we have discussed within the office as to how contact with clients will be for this next period of Omicron infections. Given that it appears that this variant is very transmissible we have decided that we will need to further protect staff and clients.
Our policy will be as follows:
If you are intending to visit the office you must be double vaccinated and be able to show a vaccine pass at our front counter.
Clients entering our office – Please scan our QR code. If you are unable to do this then please record your details on the manual register book, so that contact tracing information is available if required in future. Lastly please use the hand sanitiser. These are all available on the table at the top of the stairs before entering the office.
Meeting in the office – We will be asking our staff when dealing with clients in person to maintain social distancing and wear a mask. We require clients to do the same to reduce the risk of any possible transmission. For meetings with clients and visitors our interview room has been organised so that we can maintain a good two metres between people.
Other options – If a meeting under the above policy is not possible for you please contact us to arrange another option (phone call, Zoom, personal visit under mask and social distancing rules).
Let’s hope we can get through this wave as quickly as possible.
Covid 19 Update 7 September 2021 - Operating at Delta Level 2
With the change to level 2 (Delta version) tomorrow we have considered how contact with clients will look going forward. Given that it appears that this level will be with us for a while we do need to put policies in place to meet the government mandates.
Our policy will be as follows:
Clients entering our office - Please scan our QR code. If you are unable to do this then please record your details on the manual register book, so that contact tracing information is available if required in future. Lastly please use the hand sanitiser. These will all be available on the table at the top of the stairs before entering the office.
Meeting in the office - We will be asking our staff when dealing with clients in person to maintain social distancing and wear a mask. We would ask clients to do the same to reduce the risk of any possible transmission. For meetings with clients and visitors we have prepared our interview room so that we can maintain a good two metres between people.
Other options - If a meeting under the above policy is not possible for you please contact us to arrange another option (phone call, Zoom, personal visit under mask and social distancing rules).
We understand that this may be a stressful time for all of us as we get used to the new normal, but if we can all work together we might just come out the other side with not too many bruises.
Covid 19 Lockdown Update 1 September 2021
With the move to level 3 we have some staff back in the office, but at this stage we can not see clients. If you do have items that you wish to deliver to the office we have a drop off box at the base of oyr stairs. Contacting staff by email is probably the best option initially, as staff working remotely can still see these.
An update on the subsidies:
- Wage subsidy - the last day for applying for the first two week payment is Thursday 2nd September so if you qualify get your application in before midnight Thursday this week.. Note that a new subsidy application period for a further payment opens on Friday 3rd September, where you can apply for further assistance should you qualify, however you will need to wait two weeks after your first subsidy application before you can apply for the second one.
- Business resurgent payment - the application period for this remains until one month after lockdown so still plenty of time to determine if you meet the criteria.
Lets hope that we have no further outbreaks and we can get down to level 2 or 1 as soon as possible.
Covid 19 Lockdown Update August 2021
Well here we all are again. Currently we are working from home remotely and can perform most of our client work so please continue to contact us via our respective staff emails. If you need to phone Dean for anything particularly urgent you can contact him on 0272288299.
As per the previous lockdowns the government is providing some financial assistance for those businesses who are impacted, and a good number will be eligible now that the lockdown has been extended to at least 7 days. Note that if you are able to work through the lockdown remotely with little effect then you will not be eligible for financial assistance.
There are two main subsidies you can apply for if you are eligible. Note that you can apply for both if you meet the requirements:
- Employee Wage Subsidy via the WINZ website - this must be passed through to employees. Requires you to show a 40% decrease for a week compared to a previous period, see the weblink for details. Applications open for two weeks from Friday 20th August, so if you are eligible then make sure you apply in time. You will also need your employees consent to provide their information for the application.
www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/wage-subsidy/index.html
- Resurgent Support Payment via IRD and your myIR web account - this is to help with fixed costs. Requires you to show a 30% decrease for a week compared to a previous period, see the weblink for details. Applications open from Tuesday 24th August and will remain open until one month after lockdown has been removed, so a bit more time to apply for this one.
www.ird.govt.nz/covid-19/business-and-organisations/resurgence-support-payment
Note that Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance, during a webinar on Friday 20th August was clearly advising that there will be a bigger focus on follow ups on these applications so you will need to have proof of the decreases via accounting and/or trading reports. This may be difficult for businesses that invoice monthly, you need to consider whether you will be down in your monthly turnover by the required level. There is also still the requirement to declare that you have taken all possible steps to mitigate the effect of lockdown on your business so please consider this if you are applying.
There are also the other support payments available via WINZ (short term absence payment, leave support scheme for employees who need to isolate) and IRD (small business cashflow loan scheme, available if you have repaid your previous loan or not used it previously).
The following website can provide more detail if required.
covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/financial-support/financial-support-for-businesses/
As things continue to change you may like to check out the website at the local Chamber of Commerce which will update the situation as it happens.
https://www.scchamber.org.nz/business-support/covid-19-business-assistance/.
Stay safe and lets hope this is just a short blip in the journey.
The team at Mitchell Business Advisors Ltd
With the change to the Red traffic light restrictions for the whole country today we have discussed within the office as to how contact with clients will be for this next period of Omicron infections. Given that it appears that this variant is very transmissible we have decided that we will need to further protect staff and clients.
Our policy will be as follows:
If you are intending to visit the office you must be double vaccinated and be able to show a vaccine pass at our front counter.
Clients entering our office – Please scan our QR code. If you are unable to do this then please record your details on the manual register book, so that contact tracing information is available if required in future. Lastly please use the hand sanitiser. These are all available on the table at the top of the stairs before entering the office.
Meeting in the office – We will be asking our staff when dealing with clients in person to maintain social distancing and wear a mask. We require clients to do the same to reduce the risk of any possible transmission. For meetings with clients and visitors our interview room has been organised so that we can maintain a good two metres between people.
Other options – If a meeting under the above policy is not possible for you please contact us to arrange another option (phone call, Zoom, personal visit under mask and social distancing rules).
Let’s hope we can get through this wave as quickly as possible.
Covid 19 Update 7 September 2021 - Operating at Delta Level 2
With the change to level 2 (Delta version) tomorrow we have considered how contact with clients will look going forward. Given that it appears that this level will be with us for a while we do need to put policies in place to meet the government mandates.
Our policy will be as follows:
Clients entering our office - Please scan our QR code. If you are unable to do this then please record your details on the manual register book, so that contact tracing information is available if required in future. Lastly please use the hand sanitiser. These will all be available on the table at the top of the stairs before entering the office.
Meeting in the office - We will be asking our staff when dealing with clients in person to maintain social distancing and wear a mask. We would ask clients to do the same to reduce the risk of any possible transmission. For meetings with clients and visitors we have prepared our interview room so that we can maintain a good two metres between people.
Other options - If a meeting under the above policy is not possible for you please contact us to arrange another option (phone call, Zoom, personal visit under mask and social distancing rules).
We understand that this may be a stressful time for all of us as we get used to the new normal, but if we can all work together we might just come out the other side with not too many bruises.
Covid 19 Lockdown Update 1 September 2021
With the move to level 3 we have some staff back in the office, but at this stage we can not see clients. If you do have items that you wish to deliver to the office we have a drop off box at the base of oyr stairs. Contacting staff by email is probably the best option initially, as staff working remotely can still see these.
An update on the subsidies:
- Wage subsidy - the last day for applying for the first two week payment is Thursday 2nd September so if you qualify get your application in before midnight Thursday this week.. Note that a new subsidy application period for a further payment opens on Friday 3rd September, where you can apply for further assistance should you qualify, however you will need to wait two weeks after your first subsidy application before you can apply for the second one.
- Business resurgent payment - the application period for this remains until one month after lockdown so still plenty of time to determine if you meet the criteria.
Lets hope that we have no further outbreaks and we can get down to level 2 or 1 as soon as possible.
Covid 19 Lockdown Update August 2021
Well here we all are again. Currently we are working from home remotely and can perform most of our client work so please continue to contact us via our respective staff emails. If you need to phone Dean for anything particularly urgent you can contact him on 0272288299.
As per the previous lockdowns the government is providing some financial assistance for those businesses who are impacted, and a good number will be eligible now that the lockdown has been extended to at least 7 days. Note that if you are able to work through the lockdown remotely with little effect then you will not be eligible for financial assistance.
There are two main subsidies you can apply for if you are eligible. Note that you can apply for both if you meet the requirements:
- Employee Wage Subsidy via the WINZ website - this must be passed through to employees. Requires you to show a 40% decrease for a week compared to a previous period, see the weblink for details. Applications open for two weeks from Friday 20th August, so if you are eligible then make sure you apply in time. You will also need your employees consent to provide their information for the application.
www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/wage-subsidy/index.html
- Resurgent Support Payment via IRD and your myIR web account - this is to help with fixed costs. Requires you to show a 30% decrease for a week compared to a previous period, see the weblink for details. Applications open from Tuesday 24th August and will remain open until one month after lockdown has been removed, so a bit more time to apply for this one.
www.ird.govt.nz/covid-19/business-and-organisations/resurgence-support-payment
Note that Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance, during a webinar on Friday 20th August was clearly advising that there will be a bigger focus on follow ups on these applications so you will need to have proof of the decreases via accounting and/or trading reports. This may be difficult for businesses that invoice monthly, you need to consider whether you will be down in your monthly turnover by the required level. There is also still the requirement to declare that you have taken all possible steps to mitigate the effect of lockdown on your business so please consider this if you are applying.
There are also the other support payments available via WINZ (short term absence payment, leave support scheme for employees who need to isolate) and IRD (small business cashflow loan scheme, available if you have repaid your previous loan or not used it previously).
The following website can provide more detail if required.
covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/financial-support/financial-support-for-businesses/
As things continue to change you may like to check out the website at the local Chamber of Commerce which will update the situation as it happens.
https://www.scchamber.org.nz/business-support/covid-19-business-assistance/.
Stay safe and lets hope this is just a short blip in the journey.
The team at Mitchell Business Advisors Ltd