Covid-19 NZ Wide Lockdown - What Every Food Business Needs to Know

It’s here. In an unprecedented move New Zealand has come to a grinding halt and we face a minimum of one month in complete social isolation.

But what does this mean for our food businesses?

Below I have put together the 5 things every food business needs to know.

1. Can I trade?

2. Am I an essential service?

If you fit any of the descriptions below you are permitted to keep working.

• Accommodation: Providers of accommodation services for essential workers, isolation/quarantine, and emergency housing.

• Fast-moving consumer goods: Anyone who is involved in the supply, delivery, distribution and sale of food, beverage and other key consumer goods essential for maintaining the wellbeing of people. Please note this DOES NOT include takeaway shops.
• Food and beverage production and processing: Anyone who is involved in the packaging, production and processing of food and beverage products, whether for domestic sale or export.

3. I am allowed to trade – what does this mean?

If you are one of the businesses that can continue working there are some rules that need to be followed. You will need to think about what processes you can put in place to allow this. By following these rules you will help keep everyone safe.

• Alternative ways of working to keep employees safe: this includes shift-based working so people are not working together, staggered meal breaks, flexible leave arrangements and physical distancing.
• Physical distancing: This means staff and the public stay 2 metres apart at all times while hand hygiene and cleaning must be maintained continuaously.
• Keep a register: This means recording full details of people coming onto the business site.
• If you are sick, stay away!: This goes without saying but make sure you keep people away if they are sick.

4. Can I get help to pay my staff?

You are likely aware, and already have your application in, that the Government is providing wage subsidies for any business that can show a 30% decline in revenue for any month between January and June 2020 as a result of Covid-19. This applies to all New Zealand employers, contractors, sole traders, self-employed people, registered charities and incorporated societies. 

If you are an employer you will apply on behalf of your PAYE employees, including your part time staff. If you use contractors they should apply for themselves. Remember to include yourself on the application, even if you pay yourself through drawings.

Here are some key points to note based on the most common questions asked by our clients;

• The money will arrive as a bulk payment into your account.
• The money is intended to help you pay your staff. You must continue to pay any staff you have claimed for at least 80% of their usual salary/wages for the full 12 weeks.
• When you pay your staff follow the same process you usually do, this includes calculating any taxes as normal.
• There is no GST attached to this payment.
• This is not a loan. Unless you claimed it dishonestly you will not be required to pay the money back.

5. Who can help me keep running?

Although you may be able to keep running its not much good if you cannot get your supplies or your products out to your customers. Thankfully there are some other businesses that are considered essential to the running of the country;

• Border: Customs New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries will still be running.
• Food and beverage production and processing: Anyone involved in relevant support services, such as food safety and verification, inspection or associated laboratory services, food safety and biosecurity functions. However, I wouldn’t expect your verifications to happen as planned.
• Transport and logistics: Anyone that provides logistics services. This includes New Zealand Post and courier services

Foodcontrolplans.co.nz will continue to be available throughout the lockdown period. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss anything.