2019 Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Discussion

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574 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2480541 10-May-2020 14:20

GV27:

BarTender:

I get that NZers will now be forced to travel domestically rather than internationally but the prime tourism destinations (Queenstown/Rotorua/Taupo etc) have all their services priced at international rates.

This for me is a big issue that no one really wants to talk about. Tourism didn't have a reputation for paying well in some of these areas to begin with. They realistically can't pay people any less than they already are.

Also, some of our operators aren't that sophisticated. Two Taupo places I stay at; one has a constantly evolving price mechanism that seems to be working off the number of enquiries it gets on its website (you can shift the pricing curve if you keep changing your mind about dates when you are thinking about booking, eventually you have to wait and come back tomorrow when the effects of your searches have worn off). Finding a weekend with very little on means you can get a really cheap rate. They also offer multi-night discounts and discounts for booking in advance, tiered at 30/60/90 days.

Another place: The room is the same price, no matter what, no matter the weekend, irrespective of demand. There's no sensitivities (Tuesdays, for instance, are not cheaper than weekends). It's just peak and off-peak pricing. Because of where it is, those prices are usually pretty high to begin with.

For the price of two nights at the 2nd place, I can get 4 nights at the second with enough change left over for a dinner out. Guess which one I go to more often.

1. Really? This has been discussed.. quite a bit. There have been numerous articles and mentions by at least the tourism minister, if not more. Many, many people are aware of the high prices of tourism activities in NZ and discussing that they need to drop for the domestic market.

GV27

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#2480546 10-May-2020 14:34

bmt:

1. Really? This has been discussed.. quite a bit. There have been numerous articles and mentions by at least the tourism minister, if not more. Many, many people are aware of the high prices of tourism activities in NZ and discussing that they need to drop for the domestic market.

Lots of articles about people needing to drop prices to serve local markets.

Lots of articles about lost tourism jobs.

Not so many articles about how the industry as a whole doesn't exactly have a reputation for paying well.

BarTender

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#2480596 10-May-2020 14:59

GV27:

bmt:

1. Really? This has been discussed.. quite a bit. There have been numerous articles and mentions by at least the tourism minister, if not more. Many, many people are aware of the high prices of tourism activities in NZ and discussing that they need to drop for the domestic market.

Lots of articles about people needing to drop prices to serve local markets.

Lots of articles about lost tourism jobs.

Not so many articles about how the industry as a whole doesn't exactly have a reputation for paying well.

And not so many on the harsh reality that a fair number of them will fail unless they pivot quickly and ultimately that can't be the responsibility or fault of the government.

I think dropping prices are part of the solution but in my view if you base the contraction on the tourism market on best case 50% reduction in volume and 25% reduction in price and the numbers still stack up to be profitable or at least break even then they will probably survive.

Queenstown will be the hardest hit I suspect as you can't really get there other than flying and the south island domestic economy can help to support it only so much.

As a family we don't plan to fly for a while irrespective of financial situation and would prefer to drive around the north island as our car is within our control.

Lots of tough times in that sector ahead.

gzt

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#2480607 10-May-2020 15:28

ezbee: Considering media can use the revenue, does anyone else think the advertising supporting C19 controls has been a bit weak and light.

The quantity seems good to me based on geekzone use and random work related browsing. Content wise I would prefer specific information bite messages related to levels, contained in the ads. Ie; not reliant on click through. In part I understand why not. Ad networks are sometimes unresponsive when rapid change is required, single points can be misleading etc.

freitasm

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#2480608 10-May-2020 15:30

From The Guardian: "South Korean capital closes bars and clubs over fears of second virus wave"

And from reports this weekend people are relaxing too much here in good old NZ.

Sidestep

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#2480611 10-May-2020 15:38

freitasm:

From The Guardian: "South Korean capital closes bars and clubs over fears of second virus wave"

And from reports this weekend people are relaxing too much here in good old NZ.

A 29-year-old visited three nightclubs in Seoul last Saturday before testing positive on Wednesday for the virus.

The number of cases tied to the patient jumped to 40 as of Saturday afternoon, per Bloomberg.

South Korean epidemiologists began tracing roughly 1,500 people believed to have been in those clubs around the same time, per the New York Times.

freitasm

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#2480615 10-May-2020 15:49

Sidestep:

freitasm:

From The Guardian: "South Korean capital closes bars and clubs over fears of second virus wave"

And from reports this weekend people are relaxing too much here in good old NZ.

A 29-year-old visited three nightclubs in Seoul last Saturday before testing positive on Wednesday for the virus.

The number of cases tied to the patient jumped to 40 as of Saturday afternoon, per Bloomberg.

South Korean epidemiologists began tracing roughly 1,500 people believed to have been in those clubs around the same time, per the New York Times.

Ironically, the BBC published an article today "Coronavirus: How South Korea 'crushed' the curve"...

Second waves are harsh people.

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frankv

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#2480616 10-May-2020 15:50

Some interesting and detailed information about how viruses spread: https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them

tdgeek

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#2480618 10-May-2020 15:55

freitasm:

From The Guardian: "South Korean capital closes bars and clubs over fears of second virus wave"

And from reports this weekend people are relaxing too much here in good old NZ.

Yeah, at least the prosecution rate was higher, at 25%. If L2 is delayed, I hope the Govt pins it squarely on these people

freitasm

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#2480620 10-May-2020 16:02

I am surprised I didn't hear from many saying their companies are taking advantage of the IRD incentives to WFH - companies can pay up to $400 for furniture and equipment for WFH, up to $5/week for telecommunication plan (no evidence required), and up to $15/week for other expenditure (no evidence required). Higher values possible with receipts, etc.

freitasm

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#2480624 10-May-2020 16:15

"Global report: Russia becomes new hotspot as South Korea shuts bars"

While we have places like Russia, Brazil and USA doing so badly I am not convinced we should re-open borders soon.

cshwone

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#2480667 10-May-2020 16:25

freitasm:

I am surprised I didn't hear from many saying their companies are taking advantage of the IRD incentives to WFH - companies can pay up to $400 for furniture and equipment for WFH, up to $5/week for telecommunication plan (no evidence required), and up to $15/week for other expenditure (no evidence required). Higher values possible with receipts, etc.

As far as I can see the employer has to make the payments and the incentive is that the employee doesn't get taxed on those payments up to the thresholds indicated.

How many employers are actually making those types of payments?

PolicyGuy

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#2480672 10-May-2020 16:41

cshwone:

freitasm:

I am surprised I didn't hear from many saying their companies are taking advantage of the IRD incentives to WFH - companies can pay up to $400 for furniture and equipment for WFH, up to $5/week for telecommunication plan (no evidence required), and up to $15/week for other expenditure (no evidence required). Higher values possible with receipts, etc.

As far as I can see the employer has to make the payments and the incentive is that the employee doesn't get taxed on those payments up to the thresholds indicated.

How many employers are actually making those types of payments?

If the employee is living and working in one of the larger centres, I'd be amazed if they can make an expenses claim like that and keep a straight face.

While WFH, they are not paying any commuting costs, and during the five weeks of L4, they were deprived of the opportunity to buy a $4.50 coffee, a $8 morning tea or a $10 lunch every day, or a $30 after work drinkies once (or more) a week.
Not to mention economical home-cooked meals instead of takeaways.

Most people will be making major savings, and the odd few extra dollars a week for electricity, milk, coffee will be a relatively minor expense.

Now we're back at L3, I guess they can go back to getting cafe coffee, bought lunches and takeaway dinners, but since that's actually less convenient than 'just popping downstairs' or 'grabbing something on my way home', I'd guess it's happening less now than in The Good Old Pre-COVID Days for most folks.

If they're still WFH under L2, they might maybe have a case but they'll still be saving commuting costs.

cshwone

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#2480674 10-May-2020 16:50

PolicyGuy:

If they're still WFH under L2, they might maybe have a case but they'll still be saving commuting costs.

Yes, don't think it's that common. My commute is $450 per month saving and Level 2 will continue WFH with th odd day in the office. Claiming for the extra spent on heating etc seems morally dubious.

freitasm

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#2480678 10-May-2020 16:53

PolicyGuy:

If the employee is living and working in one of the larger centres, I'd be amazed if they can make an expenses claim like that and keep a straight face.

While WFH, they are not paying any commuting costs, and during the five weeks of L4, they were deprived of the opportunity to buy a $4.50 coffee, a $8 morning tea or a $10 lunch every day, or a $30 after work drinkies once (or more) a week.
Not to mention economical home-cooked meals instead of takeaways.

Most people will be making major savings, and the odd few extra dollars a week for electricity, milk, coffee will be a relatively minor expense.

Now we're back at L3, I guess they can go back to getting cafe coffee, bought lunches and takeaway dinners, but since that's actually less convenient than 'just popping downstairs' or 'grabbing something on my way home', I'd guess it's happening less now than in The Good Old Pre-COVID Days for most folks.

If they're still WFH under L2, they might maybe have a case but they'll still be saving commuting costs.

Believe it or not, I know of a company who surveyed their employees just before lockdown and was surprised to find out some didn't have broadband at home, and no space that could be safely used as a work environment.

It's ok for you to work a few weeks on your table but at some point you will need a better, ergonomical chair, a proper desk at right height, etc. These are work-related expenses - why should they be completely taken out of the employee's salary, even if they are saving on their lattes and commute?

For example, my previous employer provided the whole lot when you moved into the on-call team - following your argument they shouldn't have to do it, seeing you are working at night or weekend, right?

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