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Covid-19

Last updated: 2/5/2022

This webpage has the latest information about operating during Covid-19 for the New Zealand horticulture industry.

All of New Zealand is now at Orange traffic light settings.

 

Keep up to date:

Sign up for HortNZ's Covid-19 newsletter           View HortNZ's Covid-19 newsletters 

More Covid info

Omicron

Read Omicron guidance for growers, including how to register as a Critical Service, accessing Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and more.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)

Find out how to register for the Close Contact Exemption scheme to be able to access RATs for critical workers during Phase 2 and 3 of the omicron health response.

Traffic Light System

Read more about the traffic light system (Covid-19 Protection Framework) guidance for growers, including how to minimise the risk of infection.

What to do if you have a case of Covid in your orchard or packhouse

This page covers the first steps you should take if they have a case of Covid on an orchard or packhouse.

Financial support

The Covid19.govt.nz website has an interactive tool to help find available financial support.

Click here to use the tool to find available support

Financial support

Businesses who have experienced a 40% drop in revenue due to COVID-19 circumstance may be eligible for the new COVID-19 Support Payment (CSP).

If your business is eligible, you can receive $4000 plus $400 per full-time employee (FTE), capped at 50 FTEs or $24,000.

More information about the COVID-19 Support Payment and how to apply

If your business has reduced revenue due to Covid-19 and you employ 50 or fewer staff, you may be able to apply for the Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme

This is a one-off 5 year loan, with a maximum borrowing amount of $10,000 plus $1,800 per full-time-equivalent employee within your business.

  • When applying for the loan, you need to be able to declare that your business is viable.
  • Your business must have experienced a minimum 30% decline in actual or predicted revenue over the period of a month, compared with the same month last year. You can use the Revenue Estimator Tool to better understand your revenue.
  • Applications are open until 31 December 2023 through myIR. If your business does not have a myIR account, you will need to create one to apply.

Loans will be interest free if they are paid back within 2 years. The interest rate is 3% for a maximum term of 5 years. 

Click here for more information and to apply 

If your employees need to self-isolate and cannot work from home, you can apply for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme for them. Employees on a casual contract are also eligible for the payment.

You can also use the payment to help pay employees who are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and need to stay home.

The Leave Support Scheme is paid weekly at the rate of:

  • $600 a week for full-time employees
  • $359 a week for part-time employees 

Employers and employees need to meet certain criteria to apply for the Leave Support Scheme.

Apply for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme

The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment helps businesses keep paying employees who cannot work from home and need to stay home while waiting for a COVID-19 test result.

Employees on a casual contract are also eligible for the payment.

You can get a one-off amount of $359 for each eligible worker while they are staying home waiting for test results. The amount is the same for both full time and part time employees. You can apply for the Short-Term Absence Payment any time.

You cannot get the Leave Support Scheme and the Short-Term Absence Payment for the same employee at the same time.

Apply for the COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment

Preparing for Covid-19 — Checklist for growers

It’s only a matter of time before a positive case of Covid-19 turns up on your farm, orchard or packhouse. Is your business prepared if one does?

It’s important you have a plan to ensure your farm can continue to operate if you, an employee, or a family member contracts Covid-19. You may be required to leave your property quickly.

Having a plan will help give you peace of mind that others will be able to step in and help.

The checklist below is intended to help you create a plan in the event you are required to leave your property and are unable to look after your crops, staff and business. The detail contained in your plan is unique to your own property and circumstances to allow family, friends or neighbours to come in and help continue your operation.

Download the Preparing for Covid-19 checklist

Wellbeing

During uncertain times like these, your wellbeing is of utmost importance.

If you are feeling overwhelmed about how recent events, announcements or decisions regarding Covid-19 may affect you, your family or business, please get in touch with your product group, or alternatively, reach out to us at: info@hortnz.co.nz, and we will connect you to a support network.

The following organisations can also provide support: 

Key links and resources