New Zealand closes butcher shops in front of COVID-19 epidemic
New Zealand has been placed under lockdown for 4 weeks and non-essential services are to shut their doors. Smaller shops - including fruit and vegetable store operators - would be closed during the month-long lockdown along with butchers shops, according to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) officials. "We're not doing a Level 4 lockdown because it's not important. We've got one chance to eradicate Covid-19," MBIE deputy chief executive Paul Stocks.
Up to 15 sectors of society have been identified as being essential services; including supermarkets, pharmacies and banks, according to the New Zealand Herald.
Meanwhile, some butcher store chains in the country have taken extensive steps through legal representatives to keep their businesses open, arguing that the size and scale qualify their operations as a small supermarket.
On the other hand, Beef+Lamb New Zealand is taking a proactive and cautious approach around running events and industry activities. It is especially important that farmers and process workers look after themselves and those around them.
“If a farmer were to fall ill with COVID-19, there would be limits to the support available to help them on the farm. Likewise, if a meat worker were to be found carrying the virus, it could disrupt production at their manufacturing plant. This is a good opportunity to get in touch with your neighbours and make some plans to support each other. As New Zealand’s second-largest export sector and the largest manufacturing employer, it is vital we take all measures to protect the red meat sector", B+LNZ Chairman Andrew Morrison said.
In his opinion, as long as the NZ red meat industry is present in 120 international markets the sector will prove its strength. "With China initially closing its market, meat processing companies redirected the products elsewhere. As China’s economy is recovering and re-opening its market, we are starting to take advantage of this again. But we are in uncharted territory and all sectors are vulnerable, particularly if our food producers or workers along the supply chain become sick. The coming months are likely to be difficult for NZ and it’s important that we look after each other and follow the latest advice from the Ministry of Health," added Andrew Morrison.
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