Ticketed business events have 100-person limit
New guidelines allow up to 100 people to attend ticketed events such as conferences and business seminars.
A limit of 10 people was placed on social gatherings when alert level 2 rules were announced on Monday, with up to 100 permitted in restaurants.
Conventions & Incentives New Zealand chief executive Lisa Hopkins said the events industry had urgently sought to have business gatherings covered by the higher cap. The Government had confirmed ticketed large events, including domestic business events and conferences, could go ahead with a 100-person limit, provided there was one-metre distancing, and contact tracing.
‘‘The industry welcomes clarity on numbers from the Government, and the acknowledgement that business events should be viewed differently to social gatherings.’’
Hopkins said that under the new
Conventions & Incentives New Zealand chief executive
guidelines issued yesterday, people attending large ticketed events and business events had to be seated, and there had to be distancing, contact tracing, and hygiene procedures.
The serving of alcohol would have to meet hospitality guidelines, which ruled out queueing at an open bar or cocktail party functions. Covid-19 clusters from events such as the Hereford conference in Queenstown meant some professional groups and corporates were worried about being associated with an outbreak, but Hopkins said the guidelines would prevent that.
‘‘Those events did not have in place what we have in place now, it’s a whole different scenario.’’
The Government is due to review meeting caps in two weeks’ time and has said gatherings are likely to be increased in phases.
Although the confirmation that larger events could now go ahead was a relief, the same could not be said about the events sector response to the Budget.
‘‘We are disappointed that the wage subsidy extension is only for eight weeks, and the much-needed financial support for overheads and business costs was not included. Both requests have been consistently messaged to Government over the past weeks.’’
Hopkins said she hoped those issues would be addressed as part of a rolling release of support packages for the industry, and the sooner the better.
‘‘This Budget was set to boost New Zealand’s economy over the next three to five years but, for our industry to survive, the next three to five months are critical. If there is a plan to help the industry in other areas, this needs to be shared now, not later.’’
‘‘The industry welcomes clarity on numbers from the Government.’’
Lisa Hopkins