Govt can’t expect Southland businesses to police traffic light system
The Government can't expect Southland’s small business owners to enforce its new traffic light system, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says.
“Before the system even rolls into effect on December 3, local business owners say they’re feeling overwhelmed about how they’re going to enforce the new regulations.
“The traffic light system was announced over a month ago and yet the Government has done nothing to ensure that it runs seamlessly for small business owners, or that the public has a clear understanding of what’s required of them.
“It’s creating a lot of extra stress and administration for Southland business owners, and in the busy lead up to Christmas, it’s the last thing that most of them need.
“Whether you’re a hairdresser, a cafe or a gym, your workload increases under this new system and you could lose business.
“Some owners say they’ll have to employ an extra person on the door just to check vaccination certificates. Others have already been told that they will be losing long-term customers, who have chosen not to get vaccinated, or who see the request for a vaccination certificate as an invasion of privacy.
“Worse, some operators have already received abuse from people who are not vaccinated and feel unhappy about the new rules. This is clearly not on and shows that the Government has failed to clearly communicate to the public what is required.
“I have also heard that those who have requested a paper copy of their vaccine certificate have been told they won’t receive them until next week – but where does that leave businesses when trying to enforce the rules?
“These are just extra pressures that business owners and their staff should not be subjected to and it’s ridiculous that the Government has assumed local operators have the knowledge, the time, or the inclination, to be promoting this new system on the Government’s behalf.”
Do you like this page?