Kindness and understanding is being urged as businesses adapt to life under the new Covid-19 Protection Framework. 

Dubbed the “traffic light system”, the framework requires customers and clients visiting businesses, such as cafes, to present their Covid-19 vaccination passes to prove they have been double vaccinated. 

The change means organisations, big and small, will need to adapt to change.

One local recently shared his experience and thoughts on Covid-19 and the new Covid-19 Protection Framework. 

He chose to remain anonymous, but says the “thought that comes up is tolerance”.  

“People use the word very loosely and say we have to be kind, tolerant, love, accept others for who they are but it’s hard when it affects your own values.  

“If we are truly tolerant to others without expecting anything in return then we win but if we are tolerant and love only if it fits our narrative we use?”

He says when it comes to business it might be best to focus on keeping and developing relationships rather than getting into arguments with people of opposing views. 

“Change is upon us… and we are all trying to balance our personal views, the views of others, government expectations and customers’ expectations at the same time.  

“I am reminded of saying, “if you don't have something good to say about someone don’t say anything!” 

“It does not mean you can’t have a view or that you're giving up on your own view. It just means most of the time it’s just not worth the effort or losing relationships over. 

He says he lost his father to Covid overseas in January, and has siblings overseas that are still refusing to be vaccinated.

“I would have thought they (siblings) would have realised what my dad went through in his last days. Alone, no one with him and literally suffocating to death. 

“(My wife) and I made a conscious decision not to talk to them about it and when they brought the conversation up I merely just said there are more important things to talk about than a vaccine. Family, their children, their jobs and their own wellbeing.

“Maybe a bit of that can work in our businesses where we decide not to discuss the vaccine if we realise it will ruin years of relationships and focus on the things we can do together to move forward.”

The Central App reported earlier, from Friday next week visitors aged 12 and over will have to show their government My Vaccine Pass on arrival at all Central Otago District Council (CODC) pools, libraries and council-run i-sites. 

The move is one of many COVID-related organisational changes local government are having to deal with.

New ‘orange traffic light’ settings were introduced across the south yesterday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at allowing people to carry on everyday activities but with restrictions.

Central Otago District Council will require all visitors over the age of 12 to Council-run sites to show their My Vaccine Pass on arrival, including pools, libraries and i-Sites.

The Tarras Country Cafe recently closed due to complications surrounding vaccinations of staff and customers. 

Emily Todd told The Central App she had been “slammed” with emails, messages and media over the decision. 

She and her husband Peter have owned the cafe for the last five years. 

“I had advertised for staff as I needed to replace five out of 10 of them and just couldn’t,” Emily says.

“I also was finding it very hard to have to tell some of my biggest supporters that they couldn’t come in anymore. 

“We are extremely sad and it’s totally gutting that I have to give up my business.”

Emily says she has received some abuse for her decision, but the support has outweighed the negativity. 

“I have now been abused by some but the 100s of emails and phone calls of support are humbling,” she says. 

“I have loved running the tiny crazy busy wee cafe, I have made many many new friends.

“All my loyal Tarras community knew my stance, including my vaxxed staff, and they have supported me.

“I really hate all the attention, I’m not trying to make a big stand or force my opinions on anyone.

“I’ve just got to follow my heart and do what I believe is right for my staff and locals.”

Emily and Peter Todd have decided to close the Tarras Country Cafe due to difficulties operating under Covid-19 restrictions and vaccination mandates.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says Police encourage people to familiarise themselves with the new traffic light settings which have now come into effect and ensure they abide by the requirements and restrictions.

Information can be found on the official Unite Against COVID-19 website here.

“The vast majority of New Zealanders have been outstanding in their response to restrictions under the Alert Level system, and Police want to thank all members of the public who supported our staff particularly in the Tāmaki Makaurau region.

“From experience, we know there is always a period of adjustment when changes are made to settings and we expect this to be the same with the move to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.”

Police will focus on helping people understand what the changes mean through its education and engagement approach.

More broadly, Police will be supporting other agencies who are working with businesses and the community as the new system comes into effect.

“Police also extend huge thanks to our communities in Auckland who bore the brunt of restrictions during the past few months.

“New Zealanders have done a great job to get vaccinated, and to abide by the rules so we can move into this new traffic light environment.  

“However, the pandemic is not over and patience and understanding what we need all to do to keep each other and our families safe will be a big part of achieving a safe holiday season and beyond.”

Key dates: 

• 2 December — From 11:59pm, all of New Zealand is in the framework.
• Check the settings for your area
• 15 December — People travelling out of Auckland will need to be fully vaccinated, or have a negative COVID-19 test administered no more than 72 hours before departure, to leave Auckland and visit other parts of the country. This requirement will remain in place until 17 January 2022.