Businesses want more certainty SOUTHERN businesses believe they can operate safely, complying with physical distancing and hygiene requirements, and would like to be allowed to open and get the economy restarted, the Otago Southland Employers’ Associatio
clear information as to what was happening they would make a plan to get the business open again.
Foleys general manager Bruce Muldrew said his company was carrying out essential work during the lockdown in plumbing, electrical and mechanical services. But it was not clear what services the company would be able to perform once the alert level was dropped.
‘‘It will potentially have some impact on job efficiencies but we certainly understand that may be necessary.
‘‘We’re certainly of the view companies have to demonstrate . . . those requirements that will be in place around those other levels of lockdown. But . . . [we] need to get back to work.’’
Jeweller Brent Weatherall said he did not have a plan for operating in a Level 3 scenario — unsure of how he would be able to have customers coming in and out of his store with heavy restrictions.
‘‘All I said to my staff was they are my most important asset and whatever we can do to get through this together . . . but until we get the big announcement from Jacinda next week . . . I just don’t know what the future holds quite honestly.’’
The Treasury released a range of scenarios yesterday on how the economy could be affected at various alert levels — including the possibility of unemployment being kept below 10% and returning to 5% next year.
It also said that without support such as the wage subsidy scheme unemployment could have hit 13.5% during the fourweek lockdown and further time in Level 4 could lead to an unemployment rate of between 17.5% and 26%.
Further assistance measures for business will be announced today in an online speech from Finance Minister Grant Robertson.