Covid 19 Delta outbreak: What hospitality businesses think about the vaccine pass

The vaccine pass has been described as a "bloody good idea" by a Rotorua bar owner.

However, while co-owner of Brew Bar and Croucher Brewing Paul Croucher said the pass was "a positive tool in the toolbox", it would not "guarantee" the survival of his businesses.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said last week vaccine certificates would be mandatory for high-risk settings including large gatherings, events and festivals, but could also be needed to go to hospitality venues like bars and restaurants.

Croucher said the "peace of mind" a vaccine certificate offered would be important for customers.

If this allowed businesses to only allow customers with the vaccine pass to go in, "that would mean the people who go there can feel safe".

One problem hospitality businesses faced was people who were "a little bit more gung-ho", less afraid and not taking the virus seriously, he said.

Croucher said the vaccine pass was a "positive tool in the toolbox". Photo / Andrew Warner

But the challenges faced by his businesses over the last 18 months would not be fixed entirely by the vaccine pass.

"At the end of the day, we need healthy, safe and happy visitors back to Rotorua."

Croucher said the drive to reach a 90 per cent vaccination rate was "exactly" what the Government needed to do to open things back up again. He did not want the opening of borders "unsafely".

But he did not want the opening of borders to be done "unsafely".

"I don't think the answer is just to open up. We need it to open up ... we need to learn to live with the virus ... and part of that is the 90 per cent vaccination."

Pig and Whistle Historic Pub and Capers Epicurean owner Gregg Brown pictured in 2020. Photo / Andrew Warner

Pig and Whistle Historic Pub and Capers Epicurean owner Gregg Brown said his initial response to the vaccine pass was negative, but he had "come full 360 on it".

Brown's concern was about putting front-of-house staff "in the firing line" of people that might object strongly to not being allowed to enter the venue.

"We need the backing of Government to make this thing work," he said.

"If it's what it takes to get back to business as usual ... then the hospitality industry should be prepared to step up along with a number of other industries and sectors.

"We've got to get back to some semblance of freedom of movement," he said.

"I think we're going to get there, but if we need to play a part in speeding up the process then I'm all for it."

The Good Eastern Taphouse owner, Andy Allan, said as an employer there needed to be some "serious policy" with the vaccine pass.

He was concerned about the policing of the pass and if it could be "open to fraud and misrepresentation" just like IDs were.

He said employers also needed "some serious tangible policy on how do we deal with employees that won't get the vaccine".

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bryce Heard. Photo / NZME

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bryce Heard said the chamber had been advocating for vaccine passes "for a while now" and was "delighted" to see it happening.

"Hospitality, retail, tourism, sport and events will be some of the areas that will welcome this development," he said.

"Businesses have all adapted to scanning, wearing masks and social distancing and this next step will be supported as well."

Heard said the chamber was "very supportive of this positive step" which would help restore some certainty to a major section of the business community.