Good morning, i hope you have all enjoyed the weekend.
On Friday we despatched the last of our first order of Rapid Antigen Tests - thanks to everyone for persevering with the extended/split deliveries which allowed us to get tests out to all those that ordered. I think we are all aware that we are at the mercy of customs and couriers in getting these cleared and delivered.
We do have a further order of tests due hopefully at the end of this week/early next week, along with FFP2 masks (N95 European equivalent) - see below for details. This order will be limited to members of PrintNZ, and we are working with the NZ Sign and Display Association and their members will also be able to order at the PrintNZ member rate.
If we have tests available after the order period has closed, we will then make those available to non-members.
I know that many of the businesses in our industry, particularly in Auckland, are already affected by staff absences due to Omicron, and this will spread into other regions over the next week or two as we head towards the peak. Both rapid antigen tests and masks can play a vital role in minimising the risks of spread to the rest of your staff, something you are required under health and safety legislation to do.
And in other good news there has been an update to the comparator period for the Covid Support Payments that will allow more businesses to access one or more of these payments.
As always, If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact the PrintNZ team.
RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS - SECOND ORDER
FFP2 MASKS (N95) Available to PrintNZ Members and NZSDA Members
RAT Kits: minimum order quantity is 20, order in multiples of 20. These need to be invoiced and paid for prior to despatch.
PrintNZ/NZSDA Members - $8.15 plus GST per test - plus handling and shipping charges ex Auckland.
MASKS FFP2 Face mask (EN149:2001+A1:2009): minimum order quantity is 50, order in multiples of 50. These need to be invoiced and paid for prior to despatch.
PrintNZ/NZSDA Members - $1.95 plus GST per mask- plus handling and shipping charges ex Auckland.
Shipments of masks and tests can be combined if you wish.
In the case of split supply of product to us, orders will be despatched in the order they are received, so long as they have been paid for.
Please send your orders through by reply email by 5 pm Wednesday 9 March.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
There has been a change made to the Covid-19 Support Payment that commenced last week. After substantial lobbying to Government, the very restrictive comparator period has been expanded to allow comparison to your 2021 earnings.
You are still required to show a 40% drop in revenue due to Covid-19 related matters, but you are now able to compare this year's results to a similar period in 2021 when things may have been more buoyant.
To be eligible, the affected revenue period is a continuous 7 day period from 16 February 2022 which must show a drop of 40%+, compared to either:
A typical 7 day period in the 6 weeks between 5 January and 15 February 2022; or
An alternative option of 5 January to 15 February last year (2021). This covers a period when all of New Zealand was at Alert Level 1 so trading would have been more buoyant than January this year.
If you are able to use Option #1 you can apply now. If you are wanting to use Option #2 this is not yet open for applications as IRD need to update their system to accept the alternative dates. I will let you know when this is available (expected to be 14 March) but the first payment will remain open for at least 6 weeks to accommodate this delay. There will be two subsequent payments that can be applied for. Each payment is up to $24,000 based on the number of employees you have.
Click here to view the full detailsWHAT TO DO IF AN EMPLOYEE TESTS POSITIVE
We have a number of businesses that now have Covid positive employees. While Close Contacts no longer need to isolate, they still need to be identified and told to monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 days. Some of this responsibility falls on the employer to identify and advise Close Contacts in the business. Click here to download the full guide on what to do if an employee tests posiive.
Remember all positive RATs need to be notified to the Ministry of Health either online into the person's My Covid Record or via phone on 0800 222478 option 3.
FREE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS FOR UNWELL HOUSEHOLDS
The Government have launched their online Rat Requester which allows individuals to order RATs online if someone in the household is unwell. These can be collected from one of 306 locations around the country.
