Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) has welcomed the lifting of all New Zealand’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Per the New Zealand government, over the past month, reported COVID-19 cases have hit their lowest levels since February 2022 and now is the time to remove all requirements including the seven-day mandatory isolation.
BEIA CEO Lisa Hopkins said the association and its fellow industry associations have been advocating for this change for some time. “We welcome the news and are thrilled this has finally happened. Conference delegates and incentive visitors will no longer have to isolate for seven days and can manage their own health requirements without any compulsory mandates,” she said.
“This means international and domestic business events organizers and delegates can now plan with confidence and be assured New Zealand’s approach to the pandemic has moved from an emergency response to sustainable long-term management.”
The business events sector was one of the first to be affected when the government decided to limit the number of people who could attend an event, down to 100 people, before halting all gatherings.
“This period was historic. For our sector, it truly was catastrophic. Yet ironically, it was during this time we saw the first of our international convention centers open and the government recognize the sector for the value it delivers—not just economically, but also socially,” Hopkins said.
“It is time to draw a line under COVID and move forward.”
For more information, visit www.beehive.govt.nz.
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