Queenstown suffers as another bubble bursts

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Another transtasman travel suspension is “disheartening” for Queenstown business owners who have already faced massive cancellations.

Melbourne entered its fifth Covid-19 lockdown last night, as health authorities scramble to contain the growing outbreak of two separate Delta strain groups in Victoria.

The lockdown is expected to last between three and five days and means Melburians can only leave their homes for essential reasons.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has suspended the non-quarantine trip from Victoria to New Zealand at 1:59 am today.

The break will last at least four days and will be reviewed on Monday.

This is another success for the seaside resort, which has recently benefited from an influx of domestic tourists for the school holidays.

Rees chief executive Mark Rose said they had already suffered “massive cancellations”.

“It started a few days ago, in Melbourne actually, because people just aren’t sure, and you can’t blame them.

“It’s just awful.”

The losses of the company “were increasing” and were “substantial”, he said.

I guess the hardest part for all of us [businesses] Did we all bring staff back from June 25th.

“I went from 72 to 95 staff, and now we don’t have the people here anymore.”

He was worried that August was approaching, a popular month for Australians to visit for conferences and skiing.

Travel breaks have also been “quite difficult” for the hospitality industry, said Republic Hospitality group general manager Tracy Pool.

We have had quite a few cancellations from Australian university groups.

” We had groups that were 90 and are now 18. ”

Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult said the city was supposed to welcome thousands of Australians and enjoy an “exceptional” ski season.

But it was not.

“It’s really difficult,” he said.

“We’re going to be back in the position to wrestle again.”

Queenstown Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ruth Stokes said many accommodation and ski reservations have been postponed rather than canceled.

This meant that September and October could be “stronger” than usual.

Yesterday, five new cases of Covid-19 were reported at managed isolation and quarantine facilities in New Zealand.

Another ship in New Zealand waters was grappling with a Covid-19 outbreak yesterday.

Sixteen of the 18 crew members of the Spanish-flagged Playa Zahara had tested positive for the virus.

Swabs from crew members were taken at Port Taranaki, after reports of flu-like illness on board the ship.

The ship was now en route to Lyttelton, “where the appropriate level of support can be provided.”

The Spanish-flagged Viking Bay earlier reported an outbreak of the virus among crew members.

The 15 infected crew members had been transferred to a shore-based quarantine facility in Wellington. – Additional reports The New Zealand Herald



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