Business events given green light across New Zealand

Business events will soon be permitted in Auckland, after it was announced that it will join the rest of New Zealand at Covid-19 alert Level 1 from 11.59pm on 7 October. Level one means that social and business restrictions will be lifted, however border controls will remain in place. It also means that domestic travel is permitted between states. Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, said: “The announcement by prime minister Jacinda Ardern dispels all confusion about who can meet and where. We have been given the green light to meet, with the country fully opened up to domestic groups, and Aucklanders again welcome to any region. “Now is the time to rebuild the industry, and deliver confidence back to organisers who have been holding off planning and booking their events. Our message is it is safe to hold a conference, seminar, workshop, or team recognition event. We want people to understand that business events are the safest type of event that can be held, backed up by the World Health Organisation (WHO) itself.” CINZ has opened registrations for BE Reconnected, a free industry exhibition and networking day in Auckland on 1 December aimed at “throwing the spotlight on the NZ$5bn (US$3.3bn) sector and rekindling vital industry relationships”. Hopkins added: “BE Reconnected will be an essential platform to support the sector now and beyond. It is imperative for the good of the country and for the industry that we now move forward safely, and with assurance.”