SkyCity Entertainment Group has confirmed that its three New Zealand properties are no longer subject to capacity restrictions or social distancing measures from today after the government lowered the national COVID-19 alert level.
Authorities announced on Wednesday that New Zealand would move from the Red setting that has been in place since 22 January 2022 to Orange, essentially removing most restrictions for businesses across the country.
SkyCity said via a filing that mask wearing is still required for staff but not for customers and there would no longer be a requirement to show proof of vaccination or scan QR codes to enter.
The relaxed rules come two days after New Zealand reopened its borders to fully-vaccinated Australians with the first flights since mid-2021 landing on Tuesday. International arrivals from nations subject to New Zealand’s visa-waiver program, including the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and most of Europe, will be permitted entry from 1 May 2022.
Despite recent disruptions to its business as a result of New Zealand’s strict COVID-19 rules, SkyCity said it has remained EBITDA and cashflow positive during its peak disruption periods of February and March with steady improvement in visitation seen in March and early April.
Gaming machine activity on weekends has also returned to pre-COVID-19 levels at SkyCity Auckland and SkyCity Hamilton, the company said.
“Given limited visibility of the ramp-up of performance as operating restrictions are relaxed at the Orange setting in New Zealand, SkyCity is not in a position to provide detailed earnings guidance for FY22 at this time, but this will remain under review,” SkyCity said.
“SkyCity remains positive on the medium-term outlook for the Group, including a return to FY19 earnings when fully operational and growing from there.”
