Following the recent move to Alert Level 2, CEDA would like to remind businesses that there is help available for businesses, in particular the COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment and COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme.
These funds are designed to assist businesses and their employees while waiting for COVID-19 test results or for employees who need to self-isolate.
In December, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said businesses nationwide would be eligible for a Resurgence Support Payment if any part of the country moved to Levels 2, 3 or 4 for seven days or more.
Resurgence Support Payment
The support scheme is for business affected by any resurgence of COVID-19. It will only kick in after a region – or the entire country – is at level 2,3 or 4 for at least seven days.
Firms that experience a 30 percent drop in revenue over a 7-day period will be eligible. The payment would include a core per business rate of $1500 plus $400 per employee up to a total of 50 FTEs ($21,500).
As the recent changes to the alert levels on 15 February 2021 were only in place for 72 hours, businesses won’t receive any cash from the Government this time around.
COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment
This funding assists businesses to keep paying their employees who are not able to work from home while they wait for a COVID-19 test result. This payment is also available to self-employed people.
The payment helps businesses keep paying employees who:
- cannot work from home, and
- need to stay at home while waiting on a COVID-19 test result.
This must be in line with public health guidance
A one-off payment of $350 is available for each employee. You can apply for it once for each eligible employee in any 30-day period. However, you can apply for it again if a health official or doctor tells them to get another test.
Who is eligible for the COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment, and how to apply
COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme is still available for businesses to help pay employees who need to self-isolate and cannot work from home while they are self-isolating.
The COVID-19 Leave Support payment is paid as a flat-rate lump sum. You can re-apply after this time if your employees still qualify.
Who is eligible for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme, and how to apply
Businesses must take health measures to keep their workers safe and ensure they’re following the guidelines set out by Government here. Businesses should also regularly check for updates on the national COVID-19.govt.nz site here.
