Carmen Hall: Traffic light system already seems to be a shambles

The traffic light system kicks in today. Photo / NZME

OPINION

What a shambles.

I can only imagine what is happening today at businesses across our region as the traffic light system comes into force.

I, for one, can't wrap my head around the changes and I'm struggling to see how the new rules will be enforced.

I am fully vaccinated and I support any moves to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

I also feel for businesses the pandemic has ravaged. There are many that are still struggling to survive and owners who continue to hold on by the skin of their teeth.

Covid has taken casualties and now it has a foothold in the community, strict measures need to be taken.

But, in my view, the rollout of the traffic light system seems to be a big mess. The mandates are confusing and have left some businesses and organisations scrambling.

From what I have seen and heard there seem to be more questions than answers, with different businesses and organisations doing different things within the framework.

Tauranga is lucky as being in the orange zone has benefits and business owners feel some relief. Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt says it gave the community greater clarity of what is expected to keep operating.

Not everyone sees it this way. Restaurant owner Josh Fitzgerald thinks it is unfair, very confusing and a bit ''s***''.

In Rotorua, where it's code red, Markets Twelve 21 business development executive Julia Haira worries about businesses hiring more staff to police the My Vaccine Passes.

She wonders where this money will come from and how it might affect bottom lines.

There are also concerns about disgruntled, abusive customers who don't or won't comply.

There will be people who either get confused about what they should and shouldn't be doing, or simply defy the rules. They will put others at risk by not scanning their vaccine pass, entering places unvaccinated when they shouldn't, or not masking up.

All this places stress on businesses and puts people potentially at risk.

The Ministry for Business, Employment and Innovation advises employers to provide staff with ''wording'' they can use for unruly behaviour.

Or they can call the cops.

My view? What a circus. I can see numerous flaws in the traffic light system with different businesses and facilities operating in different ways.

And it is going to be frontline workers who will have to deal with the aftermath. They are going to be the ones in the firing line.

I think the traffic light system in theory is a good idea but it appears overly complicated.

The proof will be in the pudding - and the whole thing could yet turn to custard.