To Our Valued Stakeholders,
I am sure you have also been planning and preparing within your organisations and we are very conscious that there remains significant uncertainty, not solely within our domestic operating environment, but also particularly within key global markets that are critical to the New Zealand primary sector.
The de-escalation in COVID-19 response level and corresponding move from essential services to services that can be conducted safely under COVID-19 protocols will provide AgResearch with the opportunity to recommence some lab and field-based work and we are well prepared to do so.
While we welcome the confirmation of a move to level 3 response, we will remain focused upon progressing within the context of continuing to do what is right in terms of looking after the wellbeing of our staff and the broader community.
Those staff able to continue to work productively from home will continue to do so, and we will assess the personal circumstances of those staff who can return to lab and fieldwork from Tuesday April 28th.
Whilst lab and fieldwork will recommence, there will remain some capacity constraints under level 3 operating conditions.
We will be in contact as quickly as possible to discuss what the change in response level means for our science delivery and for specific programmes of interest.
Looking ahead, increasingly we will also want to engage with you to understand the impact of COVID-19 on your organisation, what challenges, changes in focus and potential opportunities are becoming apparent over the medium to long term to ensure we are best positioned to contribute to supporting economic recovery.
As always, if you have any questions, please refer to your Sector or Account Manager in the first instance.
Regards,
Stuart Hall
Partnerships and Programmes Director
