New Measures to help Business come out the other side of Delta

The Hunter region’s leading advocate for business, Business Hunter is pleased to share that the NSW Government had issued a range of important measures for the state to put a lid on the Delta variant of COVID-19.

CEO, Bob Hawes reported that the past 24-hours revealed a mix between incentives and stronger enforcement measures which was a confident signal to business that the impact to our economy was a priority for the government.

“The primary focus of the NSW COVID response must remain the health of our community,” Mr Hawes said.

“What the measures overnight and this morning show is that the government and police have had enough of non-compliance and the impacts some people’s crappy choices are having on our health and the economy.

“The Government’s new incentives, such as the $320 stay-at-home payment for people awaiting test results is a welcome measure to soothe the sting of income loss while you wait – sometimes up to five working days – for a COVID test result. This will help keep people afloat during short bursts of being without income,” he said.  

Business Hunter also welcomed the extension of the Dine and Discover vouchers to 30 June 2022.

“The Dine & Discover extension gives some piece of mind to businesses that consumers will have the same incentives to return to venues and events when this Delta cloud lifts,” said Mr Hawes.

“Yet I remind our community that the Dine & Discover extension is effective immediately. Many local businesses are still open and offering takeaway and click and collect services. If your weekly budget can extend to an extra night of takeaway this next week, your support will help these businesses that are open to stay open.”

Business Hunter was also advised by NSW Government this morning that a new Tenant and Landlord support package was being implemented under a new $40million Hardship Fund. The fund will provide monthly grants of up to $3000 for small commercial or retail landlords who provide rental waivers for tenants experiencing business hardship and a significant drop in turnover.

“Our real estate agency members will take this as welcome news, along with confirmation we received this morning that the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation is being extended to 13 January 2022.

“It’s great to hear that business continuity and confidence is filtering into policy decisions of this government. These measures, along with harsher $5000 fines for breaches can give those complying with the rules but feeling the pinch some comfort, knowing the other side of this Delta disaster is in the government’s focus,” Mr Hawes said.