Access to closed buildings
In case of a Civil Emergency, cordons may be put in place to ensure public safety. It may be possible to arrange quick visits accompanied by inspectors during office hours.
Building safety
Building owners are primarily responsible for ensuring buildings are safe and arranging engineering assessments. If your building is found to be unsuitable for occupancy, inform your tenants and the Council immediately. If your building is found to be safe, email recovery@wcc.govt.nz so the Council can update their records.
Insurance
If your property or contents are damaged in a Civil Emergency and you have insurance, make sure you document the damage with photos. If you have continuity insurance, it may be able to help you cover wages and other costs during recovery.
If you don’t currently have continuity insurance, now is a good time to consider a policy or beginning to make a continuity plan for your business. The Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO) runs free workshops to help you with continuity planning - you can register online at WREMO website.
Recovery
Communicate regularly with your stakeholders, employees, and customers so they know if you have moved or reopened. When you reopen contact local media who are often looking for human interest stories. If you do not have a business continuity plan or insurance, now is a good time to start planning.
Your staff may be eligible for the Civil Emergency support subsidies, you can refer your staff to Work and Income to see if they qualify for other support.