The New Zealand government has moved the Covid-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights) down from Red to Orange, three weeks after it was first announced.
Under Orange, indoor capacity limits have been lifted, and the seated and separated rule for event venues – alongside bars, cafes and restaurants – have been lifted. People are also still required to wear a face mask in most indoor settings.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) chief executive Lisa Hopkins said that this announcement, coupled with the lifting of border restrictions and doing away with self isolation, is very much welcome by the business events industry.
She added: “There is pent-up demand from Australian, international, and domestic event organisers with a robust booking pipeline waiting in the wings.
“Business events are critical to New Zealand’s recovery. The desire to meet face-to-face has never been stronger, and the return of in-person meetings and events, and people travelling for business events has never been more important. This will bring a positive impact right across our economy and our communities.”
Meanwhile, BEIA’s annual tradeshow MEETINGS is set for June 15-16, 2022, which Hopkins revealed has “attracted registrations from hundreds of Australian and New Zealand event managers and PCO”. MEETINGS will be held at the new Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, and have 200 exhibitors from 18 regions of New Zealand in attendance.
