Coronavirus - New Zealand
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Slightly more news on how people are to survive economically in the interim:
Banks are looking at allowing small to medium sized businesses and mortgage customers to suspend payments for a period as many firms curtail their activities or lose custom due to the coronavirus crisis.
The package of concessions would be essentially similar to the measures announced in Australia.
The four major Australian banks, which own New Zealand's four major banks, have agreed to suspend payments on A$100 billion ($102.2b) in loans to small businesses for six months and offer mortgage payment relief to residential mortgage customers who lose their jobs due to the crisis for an initial three months. That would be renewable for a further three months.
The Australian banks are also cutting interest rates on these loans β for example, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which owns ASB Bank, will cut rates on small business loans from 9 per cent or 9.5 per cent to as little as 4 per cent.
However, the interest owing on those loans will continue to mount through such suspensions
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12319003
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For business:
Including
McDonald said the Ministry of Social Development had been "really helpful" to SMEs, which make up 90 per cent of New Zealand's businesses, turning around applications for financial assistance in 48 hours and less.
MSD had been urging businesses not to delay putting in applications and if there were issues, the ministry would get back to them, he said.
McDonald recommended businesses seeking advice also refer to MSD's website and to use its call centre.
Businesses should talk to their banks "and talk early", he said.
The EMA applauded today's new Government support announcements for business which extended financial assistance to all businesses, not just small operations, and removed the $150,000 funding cap. McDonald said the cap had been causing a great deal of worry.
It would now cost $9.3b, up from $5.1b.
He said the Government deserved recognition for the speed with which it had responded had recognised the plight of small business in the fast-moving pandemic and put in place processes to help them.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12319133
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What will be in business (from the live Stuff blog)
Among those deemed as essential services are:
Health sector
Covid 19 response and action staff
Civil defence or emergency management functions
Key public services
Transport providers including KiwiRail and NZ Post, courier drivers and freight providers
Teachers to provide essential services
Public safety and national security staff
Building and construction workers
Utilities and Communications personnel including news media and supply chains
Supermarkets and pharmacies
Social services
Financial services
Food producers
Biosecurity
Animal health staff
The public will be able to use public transport to get to the supermarket as this would be counted as 'essential"
Whether dairies and superettes would be included in the essential services for the supply of food was yet to be determined. -
From the NZ Blood Service - yes you can still travel to donate blood. Perhaps more importantly now than ever.
Some of you may be wondering if you can travel to your local donor centre, or mobile blood drive? The answer is YES, any travel to donate blood is considered essential travel because blood donation is an essential service. If youβre fit and eligible to donate please make an appointment, and keep the supply of blood to New Zealanders going.
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shes gone crazy out there!
went out to buy some chicken food on way home (have enough but thought cant hurt) shop was insanely busy, had zero chook food at all.
Supermarkets are a breeding ground for CV-19 right now.
Phones are overloaded, unable to get through straight away.
Wonder if power companies will give customers any relief or discounts given vast majority are at home using more power.
Oohh, I am in the essential servies list!
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@taniwharugby said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
shes gone crazy out there!
went out to buy some chicken food on way home (have enough but thought cant hurt) shop was insanely busy, had zero chook food at all.
Supermarkets are a breeding ground for CV-19 right now.
Phones are overloaded, unable to get through straight away.
Wonder if power companies will give customers any relief or discounts given vast majority are at home using more power.
Oohh, I am in the essential servies list!
We stocked up on chicken feed too π
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shit, just about finished my book and library now closed
Will have to hunt around my house or see what my neighbours can disinfect for me!
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@taniwharugby I wonder what the overdue fee will be in 6 months lol.
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@taniwharugby said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
shit, just about finished my book and library now closed
Will have to hunt around my house or see what my neighbours can disinfect for me!
Do you have an e-reader? I just stocked up on e-book recommendations from friends. I was in a Macpac store on Saturday and seriously contemplated buying a solar charger but the price (over $200) made me baulk, but I'm wondering now if it may be worth the cost.
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@Nepia said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
Do you have an e-reader? I just stocked up on e-book recommendations from friends. I was in a Macpac store on Saturday and seriously contemplated buying a solar charger but the price (over $200) made me baulk, but I'm wondering now if it may be worth the cost.
yeah there is always that option (iPad) I just prefer books
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@taniwharugby said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
shit, just about finished my book and library now closed
Will have to hunt around my house or see what my neighbours can disinfect for me!
i thank the lord i have an extensive library at home, and i am happy to re-read
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@mariner4life said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
@taniwharugby said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
shit, just about finished my book and library now closed
Will have to hunt around my house or see what my neighbours can disinfect for me!
i thank the lord i have an extensive library at home, and i am happy to re-read
Sadly I got rid of my library when I figured how much money I was spending on my storage locker in NZ ... should have just shipped them here in hindsight.
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I hope people do take this seriously and adhere to the government's plan for the next month, even if they strongly oppose it.
Flouting the rules and spreading the virus will only extend the amount of time they keep businesses etc closed. Their decisions will all be based on the number of new cases, if we keep that to a minimum then we'll be able to get back to work a lot sooner.
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@No-Quarter sounds like they will have boots on the ground in an effort to keep people from congregating. I hope they take a hard line, let's make sure its no longer than 4 weeks
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@voodoo said in Coronavirus - New Zealand:
So I spoke to a hotel operator just now. Said they've been given notice they came accept bookings during L4.
Do you guys take that to mean that travel by car is OK during that period?
I don't think travel from town to town is ideal....