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Friday 11 March 2022
Businesses battling Covid
Collingwood’s HealthPost: Managing director Abel Butler feels coping with the mandates has been a big lesson in adaptation. “We’re trying to be as foresighted as possible, to roll with the continual changes.” Photo: Alistair Hughes. ALISTAIR HUGHES
Golden Bay’s summer season began with generally far better tourist trade than expected, despite the new Covid-19 mandates imposed at the beginning of December. Unfortunately, a combination of weather and a move into a higher alert level as January finished brought a premature end to what had been a very promising summer for many. The GB Weekly spoke to local businesses about operating under the traffic light system. Holly Osmond, owner of Roots Bar and the recently opened Dada Manifesto, has had more on her mind than most in an already challenging summer for the hospitality business. Dada Manifesto opened on 29 November, just as the Covid-19 Protection Framework (the traffic light system) was introduced. “We were very well supported from the getgo which was really lucky,” says Holly. “Everyone was ready for something new, and it’s good, so people keep coming. I would say that for any business in its first year, you just want to make ends meet. And that’s what we’re managing.” Getting through the summer was definitely
not helped by an atrocious two weeks of February rain, which caused flooding and cleared out campsites. However, the effects of having to operate under a Government mandate that essentially segregated customers has also taken an emotional toll. “Suddenly I just wasn’t the one in charge of my own business. I was being told to do this thing that I didn’t want to do. My best friend couldn’t have a beer in my bar and a lot of our very dedicated regular customers couldn’t come in anymore. I also lost a couple of staff, really awesome people who we very much loved. It has been pretty divisive and toxic.” In her usual style, Holly is now looking to the future. “Covid isn’t going to define us as a business, and now we’re focusing on being creative again and doing what we love with these spaces we’ve created.” She is planning to reintroduce live music during dining, and support local musicians. As increasing numbers of local people will inevitably find themselves having to self-isolate at home, Holly is also considering deliveries again. “I’m constantly changing or expanding in some way to try to give back to my customers. We want to focus on what we have, and
come up with new and interesting ways to do business.” Holly credits Aydee and Wayne Green at the Wholemeal Café for providing some much-needed emotional support during this summer of discontent. “There’s a lot of wider frustration from people who don’t want to have to be part of the Government system and then take it out on the businesses which are trying to follow them,” says Aydee. Though what was initially a very busy season ended very suddenly, Aydee reports that her customer base has largely been very supportive. “On the first day of the mandate we had excited, enthusiastic customers bouncing in ready to show off their passes.” But challenges kept coming when the Wholemeal Café was named as a “location of interest” at the end of January. The customer involved was unsymptomatic during his visit, and Aydee is relieved that places of interest are no longer going to be publicised because of the potential damage it causes. The possibility of increased staff illness is a factor everyone is trying to be prepared for,... Continued on page 2...
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THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 11 MARCH 2022
Golden Bay’s schools are currently coping well with Covid restrictions and have not been significantly affected by positive Covid cases and/or self-isolating staff and students. Central Tākaka School principal, Steve McLean reports a very positive start to 2022. “We are so grateful for the amazing support we have received from the school community as we have had to bring in Red level protocols.” Steve explains that the measures in place include more outdoor learning for the Year 4-6 students which limits the amount of time they need to wear masks. For students who need to stay home, work is provided via Google Classroom. There are plans in place to provide distance – or hybrid learning, should numbers increase. Golden Bay High School Principal, Linda Tame relays a similar message of positivity. “We are very proud of the way our students are coping with all of the challenges, both Covid and building project related…” GBHS, she explains, has divided staff in to four pods, to maximise continuity of kanohi ki te kanohi teaching. Half of the office staff and senior leadership team have relocated to the Green House, and teachers are ensuring there is work on Google Classroom for students who must stay at home. ”We currently have only a small number of students impacted by Covid,” says Linda. “There is also a non-Covid seasonal bug going around with a number of students and staff away.” Collingwood Area School is “Managing just fine in the evolving situation,” according to principal Hugh Gully, who explains that, with a small pool of relieving teachers to draw from and the ability to rearrange timetables to cover all classes, it’s “business as usual”. With no Covid cases to report, so far, Motupipi School continues to operate as normal. Staff are following all the Ministry of Education guidelines for safety in the case of any infection, and visitor numbers are being restricted for all upcoming events such as this week’s cross country. With the recent departure of former principal Lisa Malones, Judy Elvidge has stepped in to bridge the gap until the end of term and the appointment of a replacement principal. Staff and students at Tākaka Primary School are getting used to the “new norm” of living with Covid, says principal Talia Lynch. “We’re ticking along as usual – doing really well.” She reports minimum disruption, so far. “We’ve had some families isolating, but no staff – and no direct cases as such.”
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