10 O’clock Cookie Cafe, in Queen St Masterton. PHOTO/GRACE PRIOR
MARY ARGUE
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General manager at 10 O’clock Cookie Cafe [10CC] Monique Kloeg said the start of last week had been quieter than usual.
She was unsure if that was related to the covid community cases or linked to “slander” she had heard about the cafe’s vaccination stance.
On Tuesday, owner of 10CC John Kloeg posted a public service announcement on the café’s Facebook page addressing anti-vax rumours.
Kloeg said it was disheartening to learn rumours about the cafe being “an anti-vax business” when most staff were double vaccinated.
The post said there had been mentions of boycotting the business, and the cafe never expected the “cancel culture happening all over the world” to arrive on its doorstep.
“Please rest assured we are not an anti-vax business, and we hope that business can carry on as normal,” he said.
On Wednesday, the post had more than 70 comments from locals expressing sadness at the message and support for the business.
“So much nastiness out there, such divide. I adore you guys and support you,” said one commenter.
“Small town s***, ignore it,” said another.
Monique said it had been distressing for the family and staff to hear about the rumours.
She said the business was following Ministry of Health guidelines but were yet to decide on vaccine passports when the “traffic-light system” came into effect.
“We have around 40 staff, but as a business we have to look at the bigger picture. It’s stressful, and complicated,” she said.
On Wednesday, the Government announced that New Zealand would move to the covid-19 Protection Framework or traffic light system soon after November 29. This move would likely come before all of the country’s DHB’s gets to a 90 per cent vaccination rate.
Green, orange and red would be assigned to a region based on community cases and hospitalisations.
Businesses that choose to use vaccine passports would enjoy greater freedoms at each level, while those that do not mandate passports would face restrictions such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
Under orange and red lights, hospitality must be contactless if passports are not used.
