Covid-19 spreads further in Auckland plus breaking news of two additional unlinked cases in Northland and a positive case in Tonga that arrived on a flight from Christchurch. Video / NZ Herald
SkyCity Entertainment Group will ban non-vaccinated people from its hotels, bars, restaurant and casinos, its chief indicating the company is taking the lead in the hospitality sector.
Chief executive Michael Ahearne said entry to all New Zealand sites would soon require a vaccination certificate.
Once the Government makes available thenew Covid vaccination certificates, SkyCity will demand to see them before letting people in.
That means non-vaccinated won't soon be able to get into the SkyTower, SkyCity hotels, bars, restaurants and casino properties in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown.
The business employs around 2900 people and tens of thousands of people annually visit its properties which include The Depot on Federal St and the popular tower.
Ahearne said the move would ensure the highest protection levels for staff and customers. He also referred to the company needing to meet its legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Certificates aren't available now but they are due to be next month. The Ministry of Health says: "In November, you'll also be able to download vaccination certificates for use in New Zealand and overseas and see your Covid-19 test results."
Once those certificates become available, SkyCity will demand them.
Ahearne referred to the company's dominance in the hospitality sector.
"As one of the biggest entertainment venues in New Zealand and a significant employer in New Zealand, we need to take measures to help keep Kiwis safe," Ahearne said today.
SkyCity's Auckland properties have been closed for 72 days under alert levels 4 and 3. Ahearne has previously said the company loses $1m plus for every day the properties remain shut.
"The difference between us being open and closed is over $1 million a day," said the chief on August 30 of the reality of the hard lockdown.
In August, the Herald reported how a staff member at SkyCity Casino in Auckland tested positive for Covid-19.
How blue is Michael Ahearne feeling? Photo / Peter Meecham
An email to staff said: "SkyCity was advised that a staff member in Auckland who was working in our level 3 Platinum gaming room between 8.30pm on Friday 13 August and 6am on Saturday 14 August is a confirmed case of Covid-19."
By then, the casino was already a location of interest.
Ahearne said today the company was stepping up anti-pandemic moves.
"While we have existing safety controls in place to mitigate the risk of exposure to Covid-19, public health information and research confirm that Covid-19 vaccines will provide the best protection for our staff and customers.
"As the result of running a risk assessment process SkyCity expects the certificate requirement will cover all employees of around 2900, customers, contractors and visitors at our New Zealand sites to protect them from the harmful effects of Covid-19, as well as minimising the risk of transmission within our sites, workplace, and the wider community."
The company wants all 2900 staff to be vaccinated.
"Very early on, we set the target of 100 per cent of all eligible SkyCity employees being fully vaccinated and over the past six months, we've been strongly encouraging our people to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.
"We've supported this by providing them with paid time off to get vaccinated, petrol vouchers for travel and holding vaccination events for staff across the country," Ahearne said.
"SkyCity has been significantly impacted by the August Delta outbreak, particularly in Auckland where our flagship property has been closed for 72 days. Supporting the vaccination targets set by the Government is going to help our industry reopen, stay open and recover faster."
An employee survey process aimed to ensure staff had the opportunity to provide feedback on the new requirements.
