Follow the podcast on
Central Otago is feeling relieved after the news managed isolation slots are being set aside for rural workers.
Around 500 spaces will be available for skilled and critical workers every fortnight, for the next ten months.
Many of them will be seasonal workers.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan told Kate Hawkesby it's been a long time coming, but it's going to be a big help.
“We’re certainly not going to turn down anything that we get, and it’s going to get back to the numbers we had in 2019, so it’s certainly going to go a long way towards assisting in what has become a dire problem.”
He says some growers, especially apple orchardists, have been getting extremely desperate.
“I think when people can’t see an end to the problem they have in front of them, that’s when things get really bad, but hopefully it’s come soon enough. I haven’t heard of anyone going to the wall, and let’s hope that’s not the case.”
LISTEN ABOVE
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you